People line up outside a betting center to collect tickets.

A member of the national parliament on Monday called on the August House to enact laws that regulate betting activities in the country.

Betting is the act of gambling money, possessions, time, or something else on the outcome of something.

Lawmaker Jenty Poni, a representative of Morobo County in Central Equatoria State said many children have dropped out of school due to the practice.

“The information that I would want to reach today is about the game called betting. Betting is spoiling our children Honorable Speaker,” Poni said.

“I suggest the Mayor should close those centers in the morning and open later just like he has done with bars and open at 3 O’clock.”

According to her, the enactment of regulations against gambling will safeguard the future of children.

Lawmaker Poni was speaking during the parliamentary session in Juba.

“Instead of going to school with some little money for lunch, they use it for betting. You find that in “Mia Saba, Suk Libya, Custom” there are so many betting centers now in Juba.”

“This practice is not good. My neighbor gave the children money one given hundred, one given eighty for their school fees, but these children took the money for betting”.

In response, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba said a motion to regulate the vice has already been tabled and will soon be brought to the house for deliberations.

“I think there was a motion already here regulating betting and gambling. It was tabled in ABC, it has been tabled in ABC, may be tomorrow or next tomorrow will be brought here,” Nunu said.

“The issue of betting. People are concerned about it. It will be brought here so that we can talk and see how it can be regulated.”