The activity of casinos will continue to be licensed, but the procedure will be regulated stricter. The state will have a monopoly on other gaming areas such as halls with gaming machines, lotteries and betting. A bill to this effect was passed by Parliament in the first reading on December 8, IPN reports.
Democratic MP Sergiu Sarbu, one of the bill authors, said the major problems in the area of games of chance were generated by the chaotic placing of halls with gaming machines, often near social facilities and public institutions, including schools, and this attracted minors. Also, owing to the improper regulation of the gaming activity and lack of transparency at business entities, taxes avoided to be paid into the local and national budgets and worn-out machines that do not meet the norms were imported.
As many as 68 licenses for gaming activities have been issued so far. In 2015, there were over 3,000 gaming machines in Moldova. According to the National Health Center, about 10% of the students from socially-deprived families said they are fond of games or chance and tried to play these at least once.
The bill imposes harsher conditions for organizing the activity of casinos and institutes a state monopoly on the other types of games of chance. The advertising of games of chance will be banned. The share capital of gaming businesses is increased ten times. Each player is to be registered online.
Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu said this area of activity is a vice, not a business and should have been long ago fully liquidated.
