Moldovan state sets monopoly on gambling

Chisinau, 17 December /MOLDPRES/- The state will set monopoly on all types of gambling, except for casinos, to which the requirements for performing this kind of activity are tightening, according to a law adopted by the parliament in the final reading on 16 December.

Under the document, the management of gambling games, which is a state monopoly, will be conducted through the National Lottery of Moldova.

Under the draft, to get the right to conduct the gambling games, except for those who represent state monopoly, the companies will have to meet a number of conditions: social capital of at least 5 million lei (of which 70 per cent in cash) at the date of license issuance, managers and accountants with no criminal record, work experience of at least 5 years etc.

The document sees the gambling location. They cannot be carried out at the central and local public administration institutions, educational institutions of all levels, healthcare institutions, religious and cultural institutions, in residential, public transport stations, train stations, underground passage, on markets, temporary constructions, as well as at distance of 200 meters from the educational institutions of all levels and healthcare ones.

In late October, the Licensing Chamber ordered to suspend the licenses of 65 economic agents for the activities of gambling, stake, casino and game machines. Suspension was due to many violations discovered during control by the Financial Inspection under the Finance Ministry and investigations made by the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office jointly with the National Anticorruption Centre.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor A. Răileanu)