The Budget Vote presented to this House today, which aims to address, among other things, the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality, is being supported by the ANC. [Applause.] I want to look at three issues, namely gambling, lotteries and credit extensions, in the context of the Industrial Policy Action Plan.
The National Lotteries Board has experienced delays in processing the applications and disbursement of grants to deserving nongovernmental organisations, NGOs and community-based organisations, CBOs. That includes sports, arts and culture bodies. However, we are encouraged because the Lotteries Amendment Bill is coming to this Parliament in the course of this year to address these and many other challenges.
We also need to draw the attention of this House to the challenge that has been faced by the distributing agencies that have not been accountable for the grants that they have been disbursing.
To contribute to the eradication of poverty, unemployment and inequality, the National Lotteries Board must reach out to the NGOs and CBOs in the rural communities. In addition, it must ensure that the funds it disburses are used to bring a better life to the intended communities. It is also proposed that some of the lotteries' funds be dedicated to the five priorities of government, especially education, health and rural development, to replace the discontinued Reconstruction and Development programme allocation.
On gambling, we note that gambling is a concurrent competency, whose activities are regulated by the DTI, through the National Gambling Board and the provincial gambling regulatory authorities.