Huliak: Ministry Proposes Increasing Gambling Levy by Maximum of 1 percent

Bratislava, 11 August (TASR) - The Tourism and Sport Ministry has proposed that the levy on gambling should be increased by a maximum of 1 percent to 28 percent, Tourism and Sport Minister Rudolf Huliak (Independent) told a press conference held on Monday jointly with Tipos national lottery company director Michal Hutnik, adding that it won't agree to anything higher than that, as it would disrupt the whole betting market. "The result wouldn't be more money for the state budget from gambling levies, but, conversely, a decrease in the levies collected, as smaller gambling operators would disappear completely, which would lead to punters moving to illegal online casinos," stated Huliak. At the same time, the ministry wants to submit an amendment to the gambling law to the Coalition Council and allow Tipos to operate self-service terminals for number lotteries. This step is intended to allow Tipos to operate brick-and-mortar casinos with the aim of generating more revenue for the state. Huliak presented another amendment as part of setting up a betting companies chamber, which will be chaired by Tipos. The ministry will insist that only Tipos, as a state-owned company, will continue to operate number lotteries. "We want the respective authorities to immediately start blocking illegal online casinos. According to our calculations, this would mean extra an €800 million to €1.3 billion in revenues from all legal betting companies. Of this amount, the gambling levy alone would bring some €230-320 million into state coffers," added Huliak. ko/df