Slovakia gives a million to bring order to games of chance

Minister of Finance Darko Radunović signed yesterday with his Slovak colleague Peter Kažimir a contribution agreement that foresees Slovakia's financial support of one million euros for the improvement of the information system for the supervision of organizers of games of chance and strengthening the capacity of the Administration for Games of Chance.

The agreement foresees the obligation of the Montenegrin side to adopt a new law on games of chance by October 31, 2019 and to prepare technical IT specifications for monitoring income from organizing games of chance.

For ten years, the adoption of a new law on games of chance that would increase state revenues and reduce the risk of money laundering has been announced in Montenegro, but it has been postponed. The obligation to introduce online supervision of organizers has existed for 14 years, but it partially came to life only last year. Now it is good that the Slovaks will supervise this work, so it will not be possible for some privileged organizers and lobbies to influence the reform process.

Slovakia will pay the first installment of half a million within 30 days after signing this agreement, and the remaining amount by January 30, 2020, only if Montenegro fulfills its part of obligations - improve the regulation in the field of games of chance and ensure quality online control organizer. The Ministry will have the obligation to report to Slovak colleagues on the progress of the project, which will also have some form of control.

Two years ago, the state received ten million euros from fees for organizing games of chance, while the budget for the next year expects 18 million from this activity. After signing the agreement, Minister Radunović said that further development of the games of chance market is of great importance for Montenegro, as well as that improving the information system and strengthening the capacities of the Games of Chance Administration will increase state revenues.

Kažimir said that Slovakia wants to improve public finances in Montenegro in the regulation of games of chance.

"This agreement should help the progress of Montenegro in the field of games of chance with the aim of increasing income. This is a matter of trust. "Slovakia will support the technical support of the Administration next year," said Kažimir.