Betting: Govts raising taxes and restricting licensing to arrest gambling addiction

A man betting on European football games with a mobile phone at sports betting shop in Kampala, Uganda, on May 6, 2018. PHOTO | ISAAC KASAMANI | AFP

East African governments have renewed efforts to bring the betting industry under strict control amid claims of tax evasion and fears of a growing gambling culture and addition among the youth, who are mostly unemployed.

Kenya and Uganda have moved to vet industry players with threats of revocation of licences to tame the proliferation of betting, gaming and gambling outlets.