MINSK, 29 May (BelTA) – Banks should stop accepting payments from individuals in favor of foreign gambling companies, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting with the leadership of the Council of Ministers on 29 May, BelTA has learned.
One of the topics on the agenda dealt with the gambling business. Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that this issue is complicated due to the ethics and safety considerations.
“Firstly, it is necessary to make sure that children and incapacitated individuals cannot access online gambling and betting. Secondly, this type of entertainment should be available only to solvent people. This is not the first time we raise this issue, and this business is thriving in Belarus. This industry is in the pink, figuratively speaking. We have experience in dealing with the gambling business and we should use it to finalize all the rules. We know many examples of [gambling addicts] losing their grip and nothing can stop them. They take on debts, loans, sell property. It affects them, their families and the society. Some people point this out,” the president said.
The head of state demanded that a moratorium on gambling on 'credit' should be introduced in gambling venues. “Maybe we should allow family members of gambling addicts to ban them from gambling. After all, the money from lost apartments and cars goes to foreign gambling companies, therefore this is a matter of principle. I would like to know how this issue is to be resolved. To begin with, banks should be banned from transferring gambling-related money outside the country. The money earned here should be invested in the country. This applies to all areas of work. Please report how these sensitive issues are handled in the draft decree,” he emphasized.
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