PS: 1-percent Increase in Gambling Levies Weak, Fails to Address Real Problems

Bratislava, 13 August (TASR) - Tourism and Sport Minister Rudolf Huliak's (Independent) proposal to increase the gambling levy by just 1 percent will help neither the state budget, nor victims of gambling, opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party leader Michal Simecka told a news conference on Wednesday. "Minister Huliak is talking about the hundreds of millions that this proposal should allegedly bring. Our economists have checked it, and it's clear that it would only be about small amounts of money. Such a symbolic increase won't bring significant revenues, won't block illegal gambling and would fail to address the negative social consequences of gambling. The state could and should get more from this sector, and at the same time it should take measures to protect people from addictions," stated Simecka. According to PS vice-chair Richard Dubovicky, the proposal attests to a lack of political will. "There are two sides to the gambling coin. It is a serious social problem that leads to addictions, family breakdowns, debts and major social tragedies. And illegal gambling, which towns and villages are practically unable to control, makes the situation even worse. At a time at which Slovakia needs to consolidate public finances, I view such a proposal as either a result of pressure from lobby groups or the manifestation of a lack of political courage," stressed Dubovicky. PS proposes that a broad and professional discussion should be held on the adjustment of gambling levies, taking into account social, health and economic impacts. The revenues from these levies must go towards preventing and treating addictions, stated Dubovicky, adding that control over gambling shouldn't remain solely up to local governments; the state must actively combat illegal gambling. The Tourism and Sport Ministry has proposed that the levy on gambling should be increased by a maximum of 1 percent to 28 percent, while it won't agree to anything higher than that, as it would disrupt the whole betting market, the tourism and sports minister told a news conference on Monday (11 August) with Tipos national lottery company director Michal Hutnik in attendance. "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. ko/df