The Ministry of Tourism and Arts warns that it will not hesitate to close down Casinos operating illegally in the country.
And the ministry says effective 2019, the 20% monthly service charge that casinos were paying to the tourism department will now be payable to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
Speaking at his office this morning, Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Howard Sikwela says the Ministry has closed down Jacaranda Royal Casino in Ndola on the Copperbelt for non-compliance and operating illegally.
Dr. Sikwela directed the closure of the casino following various correspondences via letters and several visits to the Casino last year that yielded no results.
The Casino was served with the notice and purpose of closure prior to the operation.
He urged casino operators to be in touch with the authority for any clarifications on how to go about this payment.
The Ministry responsible for tourism, under the Tourism and Hospitality Act No. 13 of 2015, and Part VI of the Tourism And Hospitality Act No. 23 of 2007 is mandated to licence tourism enterprises defined under the Act.