National lotteries set to roll out Nov 21
After two years of no national lotteries in Malawi, Gidani International Limited, a South African-based company, is set to roll out on November 21 with an investment capital of up to $21 million (MK11.5 billion).
This was revealed on Wednesday at the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority headquarters in Blantyre during a familiarisation tour by Minister of Information, Tourism and Civic Education, Jappie Mhango.
Mhango said he was optimistic that with the coming in of Gidani International, many Malawians will have an improved financial status as the company has projected huge sums of money to be won through lotteries thereby enhancing the country’s economy.
He encouraged the Malawi gaming and lotteries authority to be vibrant in resource mobilization so that more Malawians benefit from its existence.
“In South Africa lotteries have contributed much in the development of sports and provision of social services to communities and I would like the authority to emulate this,” Mhango said.
Gidani International which has been operating lotteries in South Africa got a licence to operate in Malawi in June this year. It is the third company to operate national lotteries in the country following African lotteries and National Lotteries Group that pulled out due to financial constraints.
Chief Executive Officer for the authority, Master Maliro asked the minister to facilitate the enactment of the bill supporting the legal merge of the Malawi gaming and the national lotteries boards so that they work effectively.
Maliro also cited high cost of duty on gaming equipment used in casinos as a stumbling block to the growth of the gaming industry in the country.
Board Chairperson for authority Billy Banda said lotteries play a vital role in the economic advancement of the nation.
“I am impressed that we are contributing to the development of the country through entertaining tourists in our casinos and also by building clinics in a number of districts including the Gateway Clinic in Blantyre which has helped reduce congestion at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital.
