Proposal submitted for tighter regulation of gambling in Latvia – Baltic News Network

Movement For, which is not represented in the 14th of Saeima, has submitted an invitation to a Saeima committee, suggesting amendments to the Law Gambling and Lotteries in order to regulate gambling activities more tightly in Latvia.

The Saeima, however, has not duty to evaluate proposals submitted by political parties not represented in the parliament.

Gambling needs to be regulated more tightly on a national level by passing new laws and adopting new rules that are equally binding in all municipalities, the political movement believes. Members of the party invite banning free alcohol and smoking in gambling halls, as well as limiting the time people are allowed to spend there. If a person’s actions, visits to and their length to gambling halls show signs of addition, this person should be voluntarily directed towards treatment and gambling treatment options.

The party also proposes banning gambling halls in residential buildings, as well as disallow gambling in within sports infrastructure, public sport or recreation grounds, state and municipal properties.

The party proposes raising age restriction for gambling from 18 to 21 years.

Gambling permits are currently issued by local governments. This allows a disproportionate number of gaming halls to be opened in one municipality relative to the population, the party believes, prompting the issuance of permits to be entrusted to the national Lotteries and Gambling Inspectorate rather than local governments.

In order to lower the attractiveness of gambling halls, the party proposes drastically reducing the visibility of gambling halls in the urban environment by setting uniform requirements for the design of the public outdoor space of gambling halls.

Political power calls for a reduction in the number of gaming halls by imposing higher requirements on them, for example, by doubling the minimum fee payable to the state budget for each gaming hall.

Also read: More expensive food and cheaper fuel: inflation in Latvia reaches 1.4%

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