The leader of the SNS coalition, Andrej Danko, understands the positions of the member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Petr Kotlár (SNS), who asked in the plenary session to withdraw the amendment to the Gambling Act from the discussion. However, he pointed out that there was no agreement on this. This follows from his statement to journalists in the parliament.
“There was no agreement, but I understand Kotlar’s stance, which he embodied in that statement, which is probably felt by many people in the hall,” he said. He announced that he would talk to Kotlár about it. “But what he did is nothing wrong, he made his point,” he added.
Danko also commented critically on the amendment to the law on gambling, which passed the second reading. “Tipos was given to the new ministry so that the money would go to treatment, to support people and not to develop gambling. Gambling is a necessary evil,he stated.
However, he understands that the state must have control over gambling. However, according to him, it needs to be rationalized. “It can always be done in different ways and this is a bit of a way that Rudolf Huliak (independent) chose a chainsaw,” he added. Danko announced that Huliak should deal with his comments.
Just before the vote on the government’s amendment to the law on gambling, Kotlár presented a request for its withdrawal in the plenary session. However, according to the rules of procedure, the motion to delete the item must be submitted by three parliamentary clubs. The opposition therefore declared its support for Kotlár. He then submitted the proposal again on behalf of the PS, SaS and KDH clubs. “There is not an electorate of any political party who would agree with that point,” he defended. However, the procedural proposal did not pass, not enough deputies supported it.
The opposition was pleasantly surprised by Kotlar’s progress
The opposition was pleasantly surprised by the request to withdraw the amendment to the Gambling Act, which was presented by Kotlar just before the vote. This was stated by the representatives of the opposition parties KDH, SaS and Hnutie Slovensko – For the People.
“It also surprised us, but it was such a pleasant surprise, because Kotlár received the applause of the opposition, which I would never say, but he took the right position on this matter,“said opposition deputy Milan Majerský (KDH), saying that the law from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Slovak Republic rejects the decision of people who agreed to abolish gambling in referendums in individual villages and cities.
The opposition MP from SaS also agreed with this Marián Viskupičwhile according to him, the will of the people of Slovakia should be respected. He reminded that gambling cannot be banned, but must be regulated, therefore the bill should be withdrawn.
Opposition MP Michal Šipos (Movement Slovakia – For the People) assessed that the Minister of Tourism and Sports Rudolf Huliak (independent) is forcefully pushing this law to accommodate gambling and “sweep the carpet” for all casinos and gambling houses whose licenses are due to expire in the coming days.
The opposition MP also joined in the criticism Veronika Remišová (Movement Slovakia – For the People), according to which the government coalition does not solve the problems of the people, but only the problem of the gambling lobby and meets it with abbreviated legislative proceedings so that a few companies do not suffer economic damage.
Shortly after that, the Parliament moved the amendment to the second reading. It is being negotiated in abbreviated legislative proceedings, so a final decision on it will be made at the current meeting. The modification is from the workshop of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Slovak Republic.
