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Marcel Ciolacu, the Prime Minister, said that no company can operate in the gambling sector if its tax headquarters are not in Romania. He gave as an example companies that have their headquarters “through Transnistria”. He claimed that “the gambling mafia” was present at the government’s table during the pandemic: “Slots opened all over Romania while churches and hospitals remained closed”.
Ciolacu announced at the start of the Executive meeting that a new emergency ordinance would be presented in this respect.
“I will also make progress on gambling regulation.” Ciolacu stated, “I have no issue with the threats of the slot industry. On Thursday we will release an emergency ordinance that will require all operators to have their tax headquarters located in Romania.”
He stated that the legislation in the parliament, which calls for the removal outside of localities of all gambling halls, would be adopted quickly.
“I’m convinced that state authorities will shed some light on the way these intermediaries are trying to influence certain politicians to take decisions in favor of the industry as it has been done in the past. Like they did when the gambling mafia sat at the table of the government during the pandemic. “Slots were open in Romania while hospitals and churches were closed,” Ciolacu said.
The PM Ciolacu said these things at the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy where he attended the opening of the academic calendar. He also stated that the ban would be applied to those companies who do not have their headquarters there: “I will present the gambling reform in the meeting on Thursday.” The gambling reform will be discussed in the meeting on Thursday.
Marcel Ciolacu claimed on Saturday, that there was “a form” of blackmail against him and other officials of Romanian state after he submitted the draft law to remove the gambling halls from outside localities. In my capacity as Prime Minister, I request that the Romanian State determine if there is a violation of law or blackmail going on.
Senators passed the bill to remove gambling halls from towns in early September. The legislative initiative states that the gambling license is based on the population of the area, as proven by the certificate issued by local public administration authorities.
The PSD-led group of MPs has proposed a draft law to amend GEO77/2009. It stipulates that gambling spaces must be located within 50 meters of the municipal or city limits, including Bucharest.
The law targets all betting agencies, casinos, or slot machines, except for Lottery agencies that sell their own products. The Chamber of Deputies is the body that makes decisions in this case.
