Liberals suggest relocating gambling places

The Liberal lawmakers propose relocating the gambling places as far as possible from crowded urban centers and limiting access to occasional persons, Info-Prim Neo reports. The legislative initiative was put forward by MPs Valeriu Munteanu, Victor Popa and Gheorghe Brega and was registered in Parliament on December 10. The proposed amendments ban the location of gambling halls in apartment buildings, bus and trolleybus stations, shopping centers, retail outlets and social service units, parks, recreational areas, public institutions and near education establishments. Another amendment says that the gambling halls cannot work round the clock or extended outside the 10.00 – 23.00 program. The legislative initiative also contains amendments aimed at making the gambling activity more transparent and refers to the procedure for issuing and withdrawing licenses for gambling and at making sure that the given activity is performed through gaming machines and tables. The Liberal MPs said the proposed changes represent a first step towards reforming the system. The next step will be the ban on placing advertisements for gambling places on the street. On a long term, this industry is to be taken out of settlements. The legislative initiative is to be discussed in the parliamentary commissions and will be then submitted to Parliament for approval.