President Stevo Pendarovski decided not to sign the Decree for Promulgation of the Law Amending the Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games, which was adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia at the session held on 7 February 2024.
The decision was made on the basis of a detailed analysis of the text of the Law and the procedure in which this Law was adopted, as well as after consultations with the Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of North Macedonia, as our most important partner in the country in the negotiation process.
President Pendarovski deems that the amendments to the law were passed inappropriately, by using the accelerated procedure for harmonizing our legislation with the legislation of the European Union, popularly known as the “European flag procedure”, in a situation of absence of the essential “acquis” (mandatory laws of the EU) in the areas covered by this Law and the fact that the Law does not even specify a limited “EU acquis” that may be relevant.
President Pendarovski, bearing in mind the importance of comprehensive regulation of this area, but also the legitimate and justified concerns of citizens regarding the possible harmful influence of gambling and entertainment games on young people, especially on their psychological development, calls the Assembly, without delay, to restart the debate and procedure on this issue, but in a regular legislative procedure with a broad and inclusive debate with all stakeholders, as befits a mature parliamentary democracy.
President Pendarovski informed the President of the Assembly, Jovan Mitreski, about the decision.
