Supplier News
Moldova – National Lottery of Moldova to take over all gambling except casinos
By Phil - 21 December 2016
Moldova is to establish a monopoly on all forms of gambling, except casinos, which will now be subject to tighter scrutiny, according to a bill passed on December 16.
The National Lottery of Moldova will operate all forms of gambling in the country apart from casinos. Advertising of gambling and betting has been banned.
Operators will need capital of at least 5m Lei of which 70 per cent must be cash.
Casinos may not be located in central government institutions or education institutions, medical institutions, religious institutions, cultural and residential buildings, at public transport stops, bus stations, subways, or within 200 meters from health or education institutions.
Casinos must have at least 20 slot machines in operation if they are located within an urban area and 10 slot machines for operations outside municipalities.
Likewise a minimum of six tables for municipalities has been set with at least one of those being roulette with casinos outside urban areas allowed a minimum of four tables and one roulette.
They must also offer a cash point facility and reception monitored by CCTV. Video recordings of the casino tables and the cash points must be kept in digital form and saved for at least 10 calendar days.
The Licensing Chamber suspended the licenses of 65 gambling operators in October due to financial violations and tax evasion. The Ministry of Finance said that the closed venues were run by investors from Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Russia and Ukraine. Moldova currently has four casino licence holders, 72 slot licence holders, 13 sports betting companies and a license holder for organising and conducting lotteries.
