The Union of Slovak Cities (ÚMS) called on Slovak President Petr Pellegrini not to sign the amendment to the law on gambling, which was approved by parliament on October 23. According to the ÚMS, the current wording of the amendment does not reflect the legitimate demands of local governments, so that they have the opportunity to decide on the presence of gambling in their territory.
- The ÚMS called on the President of the Slovak Republic not to sign the amendment to the Gambling Act.
- The amendment to the law does not reflect the requirements of municipalities for the regulation of gambling.
- The ÚMS criticizes the non-acceptance of the rejectionist attitude of local governments by state authorities.
- The Union draws attention to the social, health and safety consequences of gambling.
- The President of the Slovak Republic should send a signal about respecting the voice of cities and municipalities.
“Whether or not there will be gambling on the territory of a city or village must be decided by those who know the local conditions and bear the consequences of its presence on a daily basis,” said the president of the ÚMS, Richard Rybníček.
The ÚMS pointed out that the negative opinion of the city or municipality will not be binding for the further procedure in the transfer of the license, and the state authorities will not have to accept this opinion. Cities and municipalities have been warning for a long time that this is a sensitive social issue with significant social, health and safety consequences for their residents. That is why it must remain in the competence of those who bear direct responsibility for their residents.
The ÚMS considers the approved version of the amendment to the law to be a step backwards in the protection of the public interest and a weakening of the responsibility of local governments. Deciding on the prohibition of gambling is a fundamental manifestation of the right of cities and municipalities to manage their affairs independently, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Slovak Republic.
The ÚMS therefore appeals to the President of the Slovak Republic to send a clear signal with his decision that the voice of cities and municipalities must be respected and that the responsibility to protect residents from the negative effects of gambling should not be taken away from those who stand closest to the people.
