European gaming industry. Seventeen Bratislava councilors who oppose the idea of a total ban on gambling venues in the Slovakian capital, propose strict regulation instead. The group claims that a blanket ban on gambling houses would demonstrably produce a range of unwanted repercussions, including an expansion of illegal gambling joints and associated crimes.
The proponents of strict regulation are now seeking an extraordinary session of the council to discuss the issue and push certain measures through. In addition, if regulation proves ineffectual, they promise to be ready to hold a vote on a total ban next year.
"We want gambling operations to be closed down wherever people in residential areas and boroughs don't want them"
Statement by the councilors concerned, who drew parallels to the situation in cities like Vienna and Budapest, where casinos have been preserved in hotels, for example. "But we also realize that, contrary to what some activists and politicians have been saying, gambling won't disappear simply by being banned."
The vote followed a 'pro-ban' petition in Bratislava that was signed by more than 136,000 people, including all 45 councilors. They believe that a total ban, which is said to involve a variety of risks, should only be sought as a last resort once all other approaches have proven ineffective. (READ SO ITALY GAMING INDUSTRY STAYS IN THE AIR)
Of the 41 councilors present at the council session, 24 voted in favor of a total ban, while five abstained and 12 councilors didn't vote at all (A two thirds majority was needed for a total ban to be passed). There are 232 casinos, 588 gaming machines and 2,177 videogaming machines in the capital city.
