BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – The Eswatini Gaming Board has been given the responsibility to make sure that Emaswati do not get into gambling irresponsibly.
Speaking during the recently launched Gaming Board, Minister of Tourism Moses Vilakati said Government saw it fit to appoint the Gaming Control Board.
The legislator, who doubles as Ntontozi Member of Parliament, outlined the principles under which the board will regulate the sector, citing that there is a law that was passed in 2022 which governs the principles to be followed in the gambling sector in the country.
“This law replaces the one which was designed to cater for lotteries,” he said.
Vilakati further announced the new Eswatini Gaming Control Board.
“Your appointment as of 23 March 2022 will last for three years. This means you have to hit the ground running because there is already a list of tasks you have to accomplish as you get into the office – there is a lot going on in the gaming sector. We, therefore, trust that you will use the expertise for which you have been chosen in your different fields,” he said.
The board is interimly chaired by Simo Simelane. Its members include Ali Resting, who will be advising on the Information Technology aspect of gambling, Phiwayinkhosi Mabuza who will be in charge of consumer satisfaction, Fikile Dlamini who is representing the Accountant General, Thandeka Simelane who represents the Attorney General, Gcinangaye Tsabedze who is representing the Eswatini Tourism Authority, and Nothando Dlamini who is the secretary.
The board is chaired by Simo Simelane. The board also consists of Ali Resting, who will be advising on t”We are yet to add two more members to the board to ensure that they have adequate capacity to implement their responsibilities,” added Minister Vilakati.
The Minister concluded by thanking the previous board for championing the creation and passing of the Eswatini Gambling Laws and Regulations of 2022.
