Msigwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Sports, has urged sports betting firms to expand their funding efforts to enhance sports development in the country.
This call was made during the 20-year celebration of the Gambling Board of Tanzania (GBT) at the Oysterbay Green Sports Park in Dar es Salaam.
Fostering Sports Development
Msigwa emphasized that extending support to various sports beyond soccer would not only catalyze sports development but also create more employment opportunities for the youth.
This initiative is essential, as it encourages young people to participate in a diverse range of sports, ultimately benefiting the sports community and the nation as a whole.
Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility
The Permanent Secretary highlighted the importance of sports betting firms engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within local communities.
This, he believes, will further contribute to the betterment of the employment environment for the youth.
Msigwa noted that when sports betting firms register and adhere to the conditions set by GBT, they significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth through tax revenue.
GBT’s Commitment
James Mbalwe, the Director General of the Gambling Board of Tanzania, assured Mr. Msigwa that GBT is committed to ensuring sports betting firms continue to support various sectors, particularly sports.
He pointed out that GBT is actively implementing strategies aimed at increasing the contribution of betting games to the national income.
Financial Contributions
Mbalwe highlighted the financial contributions that sports betting has made to the nation.
In the 2022/2023 financial year alone, the industry contributed a substantial sum of 174.4 billion Tanzanian shillings in various ways, including license fees.
He also noted the significant growth in the number of sports betting firms, indicating that this upward trend in collections is expected to continue.
The call by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Sports for sports betting firms to diversify their support to sports is not only a boost for the sports community but also a means of creating employment opportunities for the country’s youth.
The commitment of GBT to ensure the industry’s contributions to various sectors, especially sports, shows a positive outlook for the future.
It remains to be seen how this synergy between sports betting and sports development will continue to shape the nation’s growth.
