Gambling pressure, Rama: No monopoly!!

The news about closing betting points has been accompanied by pressure being applied to Socialist MPs. 

“They have sent a high number of messages against betting. 

“This has been organized by the jail, and by those who hide behind companies, so do not panic and do not even hear the slander for an "online monopoly", because there will not be any kind of monopoly!” declared Edi Rama in response.

Licensed Sports Betting Companies have called the move by the Prime Minister as one that is politically motivated.

For this reason, the representatives of sports betting have asked the Assembly for a meeting to review the draft law on gambling.

“We want to remind the Prime Minister, the Assembly and all the state institutions that our companies represent about 10,000 direct and indirect employees. 

“In addition, there are about 4,000 object owners who are all concerned about their unclear future in Albania,” said representatives of sports betting.

In line with the head of the government, the Socialist chair of the Economic Commission also stated that the government has all the required tools in their toolbags to close the betting points by the end of this year.

“All betting points will be closed and it is useless to continue this conversation, “said Erjon Braçe.

Braçe also threw charges against these entities in regards to tax evasion.

“The gambling industry was linked to the system, yet none of the betting companies have linked any single point with the online revenue declarations system,” said Erjon Braçe.

The Albanian government has deposited the draft law in Parliament for the closure of electronic casinos and sports betting by January 1, 2019.