Armenian MP in favour of total ban on sports betting

The MP said during a discussion on Monday that he supports a total ban on sports betting.

Armenia.- The Armenian parliament discussed on Monday amendments to the lottery law, and RPA MP Samvel Farmanyan expressed his views regarding a total ban on sports betting. The representative believes that problem gambling could be fixed by prohibiting the gambling modality.

Farmanyan said that he was surprised by the position that the government is taking regarding sports betting. He revealed that his position on the subject is radically different from the government’s, as he believes that sports betting should be banned in Armenia in general, local media reported. According to the MP, “studies” were conducted in Armenia and the public advocated for a radical solution to the problem.

Last month, the government approved a series of amendments to gambling laws, which include stricter regulations for operators on lotteries and advertisement. Armenia’s National Assembly also raised the minimum gambling age for sports betting and lottery from 18 to 21. In addition, fines have been raised in order to prevent operators from breaching the new gambling rules.