“The Betting (Totalisator) Agency Board must make it a priority to establish a law that will incorporate both the Gaming 1978 and the Totalisator Agency Board Act 1990.
The Committee recognises the importance of having just one legislation that guides betting activities in Samoa and other relevant activities”
Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi , yesterday rejected three of four recommendations made in a report by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee.
The Totalisator Agency Board (T.A.B) Financial Statements for 2011 and 2012 was tabled and debated when Parliament reconvened at Tiafau. Chaired by the former Mnister of Finance , Papali’itele Niko Lee Hang, the Finance Committee also includes the leader of the Opposition, Palusalue Fa’apo II.
In its report to Parliament, the Committee recommended:
• The Betting (Totalisator) Agency Board must make it a priority to establish a law that will incorporate both the Gaming 1978 and the Totalisator Agency Board Act 1990.
The Committee recognises the importance of having just one legislation that guides betting activities in Samoa and other relevant activities;
• Management and Betting (Totalisator) Agency Board must establish policies and guidelines for the allocation of financial assistance to sports and other organisations as well as the donations to the country as a whole such as educational programs and assisting health operations of Samoan citizens overseas;
• The Management and Betting (Totalisator) Agency Board must prioritise financial assistance to sporting organisations for that is the main focus of the Board since its establishment;
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• Management and Betting (Totalisator) Agency Board for betting must seek out other avenues of sources of income for the organisation to increase its budget so as to improve and develop the sporting organisation in Samoa, which is its main focus.
Papali’itele tabled its report in Parliament and asked for it to be approved. But Tuilaepa objected.
“I do not accept (recommendations) number one, two and three,” he told Parliament. Tuilaepa used church fundraising as an example.
“Small organisations like churches host bingo and bonus games so they can finance for new church buildings,” he said.
“If these small charitable organisations are included in here (with businesses) it will defeat the whole purpose of charity events.” Tuilaepa said this is where conscience should be used.
He pointed out that there is legislation in place, which already manages commercial organisations. Such organisations, he said, make money for the development of the country.
“I understand what the committee is talking about but that is not the spirit of doing things,” said Tuilaepa. “This is where we used our conscience.
“Others would say that if we overuse conscience, it will be used for the wrong reasons but to me conscience is a commandment from God that was put into a man when he was born.”
Opposition Leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II disagreed. He reminded Tuilaepa that the recommendations from the Committee were based on their investigation about what is happening today.
M.P. for Gagaemauga No. 2, Levaopolo Talatonu Va'ai, agreed with Tuilaepa. His main concern was that telecommunication companies are making money through phone gambling games.
“I understand that it will be easy for elderly women to fundraise through these games,” he said.
“But what I’m more worried about are the phone gambling games from the companies.
“They should pay for that kind of business license and should be clearly defined under a legislation.”
Chairman Papali’itele supported Levao. He assured everyone that his concerns will be put forward to the Committee and the phone gambling games should be brought under T.A.B.
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