President Stevo Pendarovski received representatives of the Association of Sports Betting – ASOM and the Association of Organizers of Games of Chance in Slot Machine Clubs and Casinos – APIS.
The meeting discussed the draft-law amending and supplementing the Law on games of chance and entertainment games, which was submitted to the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia on the proposal of the Ministry of Finance with a European flag.
The representatives of ASOM and APIS informed about the consequences of bringing these changes which, according to them, will cause loss of jobs for employees in this sector and will contribute to dramatic financial implications. They also expressed disapproval about the decision that the proposed amendments should be with the European flag, which implies that they should be carried out with a faster dynamic and shortened procedure, and indicated that the proposed amendments contain a series of provisions that are not in accordance with the Constitution.
President Pendarovski listened to the arguments of the representatives of the Association of Sports Betting and the Association of Organizers of Games of Chance in Slot Machine Clubs and Casinos and said that a social public debate involving all stakeholders is necessary in order to reach a sustainable legal solution. The President appealed to the proposed changes to go through a regular procedure in the legislature so that there is time to face all the views and to find a solution according to the highest European standards for organizing games of chance, which will protect the national interest and represent a balance between the stakeholders.
