Kenyans now have the opportunity to take part in the National Lottery to support noble causes aside from winning prize monies.
This is after President William Ruto assented to the National Lottery Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 69 of 2023) which was published on October 31, 2023.
Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung’wah sponsored the Bill, which was first read on November 8, 2023.
The Bill was considered and passed by the National Assembly on December 6, 2023.
The new law provides a mechanism for the mobilisation of resources to support noble causes.
“This in turn will go a long way towards supplementing the government’s efforts at addressing social and economic needs in the country,” a statement from Parliament said.
The good causes shall include charitable programmes, economic empowerment initiatives, sports, recreation, arts, culture and national heritage, signature transformation projects and emergencies.
The UK and South Africa have enacted legislation on the conduct of a national lottery, the proceeds of which go towards the support of good causes.
The National Lottery Act of 1993 of the UK mandates the Director General of the Gambling Commission to issue a license to a person to run the National Lottery. This license may only be issued to one person at a time.
The proceeds of the National Lottery are then distributed towards expenditure for sports and the arts, national heritage, charitable causes, health, education and the environment.
In South Africa, the National Lottery Act of 1997 mandates the responsible Minister to issue one license to a person to conduct the National Lottery.
The proceeds of the National Lottery are then allocated towards reconstruction and development programmes; charities; sports and recreation and the arts, culture and national heritage.
In Kenya, the National Lottery Board shall facilitate the equitable distribution of resources for good causes to all parts of Kenya, to ensure uniform benefit to all Kenyans.
Funds from the National Lottery shall be availed to both state and non-state actors, to ensure that no one is left behind.
“This is in keeping with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda which seeks to address the challenges facing the country’s economy, stimulate economic recovery and bolster resilience,” the despatch from Parliament added.
The funding for good causes shall involve the promotion of social development including universal health care, support for the development of small businesses and economic development activities and provision of scholarships.
Within the sports sector, the good causes to be funded by the National Lottery shall include support for national teams to participate in regional and international events.
Money from the lottery shall also support the identification, nurturing and development of talent in sports and the arts, as well as the facilitation of training and capacity-building programmes related to sports.
The new law establishes the National Lottery Board which will administer the National Lottery, and whose membership is drawn from institutional representatives as well as independent members.
The membership of the Board includes a representative of persons with disabilities as well as a representative of faith-based organisations.
The Board will be mandated to put in place measures to prevent fraud, make recommendations for the formulation of policies for the conduct of the National Lottery and advise on regulations which would be required for the effective operation.
