Danko: No Prior Agreement on Kotlar's Request to Withdraw Gambling Act Amendment

Bratislava, 23 October (TASR) - The leader of the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) Andrej Danko told journalists on Thursday that he understands the position of MP Peter Kotlar (SNS) as regards his request that the Gambling Act amendment should be withdrawn from Parliament's agenda, adding that there was no prior agreement. "There was no agreement on that, but I understand Kotlar's stance - what most people in the chamber probably feel," said Danko. However, he plans to discuss the issue with Kotlar. "What he did isn't wrong – he just expressed his opinion," added Danko, also criticising the Gambling Act amendment, which was drawn up by the Tourism and Sport Ministry and has passed to its second reading. "The reason why [state-run lottery company] Tipos was transferred to the new ministry was that the money would go towards health care and supporting people, and not towards the development of gambling. Gambling is a necessary evil," he stated. He acknowledged that the state must have control over gambling, but in doing so, a rational approach is necessary. "There are always several ways of doing things, but this particular way shows that [Tourism and Sports Minister] Rudolf Huliak (Independent) has decided to use a chainsaw," said Danko, adding that Huliak will have to address his comments. Just before the vote on the government's amendment to the Gambling Act, Kotlar requested its withdrawal. However, according to the parliamentary rules of procedure, the motion to exclude an agenda item must be submitted by three parliamentary caucuses. The opposition parties therefore declared their support for Kotlar's proposal, and he then resubmitted it on behalf of Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and the Christian Democrats (KDH). Kotlar explained that "there are no voters from any political party who would agree with this item on the agenda". But his proposal was rejected, as it failed to gain sufficient support, and Parliament then passed the amendment to its second reading. As the amendment is being debated under a fast-track legislative procedure, a final decision is set to be made during the current parliamentary session. jrg/df