Riga City Council passes ban on gambling business in Riga's historic center, Mezaparks and apartment buildings
The Riga City Council decided yesterday that no gambling business would be permitted in the historic center of Riga, Mezaparks and apartment buildings in the future.
The Riga City Council decided yesterday that no gambling business would be permitted in the historic center of Riga, Mezaparks and apartment buildings in the future.
According to businessmen, if such regulations come into force there will be just one casino left in the downtown, at the "Radisson SAS Daugava Hotel". They pledge to do everything in their power to contest the Riga City Council's decision.
According to the city council's decision, all slot machines will have to be removed and no betting deals will be permitted in said territories within twelve months.
Within 36 months, all casinos, gambling and bingo halls in the said territories will have to be shut down.
During the debates at the Riga City Council before the bill was passed yesterday, some deputies called for postponing review of the bill, whereas others advocated a ban on gambling in the entire territory of Riga.
According to estimates presented by the Riga City Council's Financial Department, the Riga budget would be losing LVL 1.7-2 million every year, the money it currently receives as taxes on gambling. The national budget's losses are estimated at LVL 4.4-4.7 million a year.
Latvian Gambling Business Association's director Girts Ludeks declined to comment on the Riga City Council's decision to LETA, he only said that gambling business would use all legal options to have the decision changed.
Andrejs Karpovics LETA Janis Bagatais LETA
Copyright © LETA
Bojars proposes ban on advertisements for gambling, alcohol and tobacco in Riga
According to businessmen, if such regulations come into force there will be just one casino left in the downtown, at the "Radisson SAS Daugava Hotel". They pledge to do everything in their power to contest the Riga City Council's decision.
According to the city council's decision, all slot machines will have to be removed and no betting deals will be permitted in said territories within twelve months.
Within 36 months, all casinos, gambling and bingo halls in the said territories will have to be shut down.
During the debates at the Riga City Council before the bill was passed yesterday, some deputies called for postponing review of the bill, whereas others advocated a ban on gambling in the entire territory of Riga.
According to estimates presented by the Riga City Council's Financial Department, the Riga budget would be losing LVL 1.7-2 million every year, the money it currently receives as taxes on gambling. The national budget's losses are estimated at LVL 4.4-4.7 million a year.
Latvian Gambling Business Association's director Girts Ludeks declined to comment on the Riga City Council's decision to LETA, he only said that gambling business would use all legal options to have the decision changed.
Andrejs Karpovics LETA Janis Bagatais LETA
Copyright © LETA
Bojars proposes ban on advertisements for gambling, alcohol and tobacco in Riga
