KDH Blasts Amendment to Banking Act Expanding Access to Gambling

Bratislava, 12 February (TASR) - The opposition's Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) rejects an amending proposal submitted by MP Roman Malatinec (independent) to the amendment of the Banking Act, TASR learnt on Thursday. According to KDH, the "rider" increases the availability of gambling in Slovakia, as it would allow number lotteries to be played on self-service terminals and expand the activities of the national lottery company Tipos. The result will be more people drawn into gambling, KDH representatives warned in Parliament. "Gambling destroys families, deprives children of security and parents of dignity. Every new terminal means a new risk of personal bankruptcy and further human tragedies. The role of the state is to limit gambling, not to expand it," stressed KDH MP Marian Caucik. He warned that gambling is an addictive mechanism that destroys human lives and leads to personal bankruptcy, family breakdown and household debt. "The state must protect the vulnerable and prevent addiction. Every decision that increases the availability of gambling also raises social costs, both financial and human. Slovakia needs more support for families and an emphasis on fulfilling their needs, not more gaming and gambling," added KDH's legal expert Jozef Humensky. Instead, KDH wants to push for stricter rules to protect families, seniors and young people from the consequences of gambling. The movement plans to fight against the expansion of gambling and advocate a higher levy on it. mf