Gambling Does not Give Up Positions: Legislation News from Latvia and Bulgaria
A lot of countries have changed gambling legislation and made gambling rules stricter in an attempt to minimize the negative impact of this entertainment on players. Thus, seeing betting and gambling-related advertisement restrictions is not something new. Such restrictions might be quite challenging to meet for casino service providers and bookmakers. However, representatives of the gambling industry still try not to lose ground and have strong positions, at least in some markets. The recent news from Latvia and Bulgaria allows them to be optimistic about the future of gambling.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON GAMBLING
The recent restriction on the organization of gambling in the entire Riga was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Latvia. It is so because the municipality failed to provide the reasons why this type of entertainment is prohibited in specific areas.
Olympic Casino Latvia Ltd, Alfor Ltd, and Joker Ltd applied to the Constitutional Court claiming that this decision violates Article 105 of the Constitution, according to which compulsory expropriation of property for public needs is possible only in exceptional cases and in accordance with a certain law.
At the same time, the organization of gambling activities is not prohibited on sites of our- or five-star hotels. The court stated that gambling is a legal commercial activity. Thus, the municipality failed to state reasons why the organization of gambling is restricted in the areas where commercial activities are permitted.
REVISIONS OF ADVERTISING IN GAMBLING REJECTED
The parliament of Bulgaria has not supported the revision of the Gambling Act with the aim of curbing the influence of advertisements of gambling. Only 29 voted for the revision, and 67 against it. 79 abstained.
The supporters of the revisions (including BSP for Bulgaria and There Is Such a People) claimed that revision is necessary to minimize the harm of gambling-related advertising, to improve control over operators, and to enhance the help for people with gambling addiction.
The failed bill also proposed the introduction of a fine for those media that violate advertising restrictions.
Those in opposition to the revision of the Gambling Act claimed that a ban on advertisements would not solve the issues of gambling addiction.
Based on the advertising ban introduced in other countries, indeed this prohibition does not improve the situation with gambling addiction, as players are not influenced much by the ads at this stage, and the shortage of advertisements does not stop them from gambling. The actions that raise awareness about responsible gambling and reliable self-exclusion mechanics are more effective.
Some of those actions were taken on the Danish gambling market.
