By BUUMBA CHIMBULU THE effectiveness of the introduction of a 10 percent excise duty on the betting amount policy in curbing gambling addiction will require evaluation over time, says Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA). Commenting on the 2024 tax bills, ZICA president, Yande Mwenye said the overtime evaluation could possibly be done through studies on betting behaviours and public health impacts. “In light of high levels of poverty and unemployment, gambling may be seen as a desperate attempt to earn income. “The tax authority should also regulate the location of betting operations, which are often concentrated in communities with vulnerable populations, Ms Mwenye said at the 2024 fourth quarter media briefing on various national matters issued in public interest in Lusaka this week. She said ZiCA welcomed this amendment as it helped to broaden the tax base, adding that this duty served a dual purpose by potentially acting as a deterrent to excessive gambling. […]
