TIRANA (Albania), October 25 (SeeNews) – Albania's parliament said on Thursday it approved a draft bill that will ban gambling activities across the country from the start of next year.
Out of 120 members of parliament, 75 supported the ban, the parliament said in a press release.
The draft legislation envisages a shutdown of sports betting shops, bingo halls, racing betting and online gambling as well as restricting the operations of electronic casinos, economy minister Arben Ahmetaj said in a Facebook post late on Tuesday, after the economic affairs committee in parliament approved the draft bill.
According to Ahmetaj, the new legislation aims to protect families from the "negative economic and social effects" of gambling.
“At the same time, we will take all measures - through a well-considered training and qualification programme - to address the concern of those individuals who will be left without a job after the closure of those businesses,” Ahmetaj said, adding that the financial impact on the state budget will be alleviated through economic growth and fiscal consolidation.
Electronic casinos will only be allowed to operate in five-star hotel and resorts, according to local media reports.
The process of closing down the existing gambling venues will be monitored by the gambling supervision authority, which is currently undergoing restructuring, local TV station Top Channel reported on Tuesday.