• ZGA is concerned with calls for government to ban Bonanza Gambling machines in townships.
• The Gambling subsector also contributes greatly to the national Treasury.
• It plays a significant role in financing the economy and social sectors.

Zambia Gaming Association (ZGA) says calls by some opposition political party leaders for government to ban Bonanza Gambling machines in the townships are unfair for the over 15,000 youths who are employed in the sector.
Responding to a Press query sent by Money FM News, Association Chairman Gift Simusamba said this is because banning Bonanzas would render the15, 000 youths jobless.
Mr. Simusamba noted that the Gambling subsector also contributes greatly to the national Treasury, therefore it plays a significant role in financing the economy and social sectors.
“ZGA members are therefore cardinal in helping President Hakainde Hichilema’s New Dawn Administration improve the welfare of citizens through job creation of over 15,000, thereby translating to over 90,000 people indirectly benefiting from their income,” Mr. Simusamba said.
He urged politicians and other stakeholders to engage the Association in areas they feel need to be worked on instead of calling for a total ban which may result in job cuts.
“As partners in development, stakeholders should find ways of promoting job creation instead of job cuts which would subject many into poverty. ZGA runs an open door policy and is therefore ready to dialogue with stakeholders to hear ideas and submissions on how best monitoring of the members can be done,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Mr. Simusamba warned ZGA members operating Bonanza Machines in the townships and allowing under age children on their premises that they risk having their licenses revoked.
He said the Association does not condone flouting of the country’s laws and regulatory framework.
“The association would like to remind its members to abide by the laws they agreed to heed at the time of applying for their operating licenses,” he stated.
Last week, Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) President Jackson Silavwe called on government to consider banning gambling machines dotted around communities.
According to Mr. Silavwe, the gambling machines have disrupted the follow of currency in communities where they are placed as they hoard money for long periods of time, thereby cutting off circulation in poor compounds.