Malawi Gaming Authority Urges Responsible Gambling, Warns Youth
Mijiga also announced the issuance of eight new licenses to foreign gaming and lottery firms, signalling potential sector expansion.
BLANTYRE, Malawi— The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) cautioned citizens Monday against viewing gambling as a career path, emphasizing it should remain a form of entertainment, writes Mayamiko Phiri.
MAGLA Director General Rachel Mijiga highlighted growing concerns about youth misconceptions surrounding gambling during a media interface meeting in Blantyre.
"Some people, mainly the youths, are taking gambling as a form of employment or means of making money," Mijiga said.
"Gambling is entertainment, and we expect citizens and stakeholders to take it as such."
The authority has launched comprehensive awareness campaigns, including community door-to-door engagements and training centre outreach programs to educate the public about responsible gambling practices.
In addition to its awareness efforts, MAGLA demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility by allocating approximately 1 billion Malawian kwacha to community initiatives, including:
- Social cash transfers in Mangochi district
- Construction of a health centre
- Flood relief assistance
Mijiga also announced the issuance of eight new licenses to foreign gaming and lottery firms, signalling potential sector expansion.
The campaign underscores MAGLA's proactive approach to preventing gambling addiction and promoting responsible gaming among Malawian citizens.