Belarusian president expresses frustration at visibility of gambling advertising
Alexander Lukashenko has called for another review of the sector.
Belarus.- The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has reportedly called for another review of the country’s gambling advertising rules amid public animosity towards its visibility. According to the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (Belta), the state-controlled news agency, Lukashenko expressed frustration during a discussion on the issue of gambling advertising, singling out a heavily marketed game from Maxline that involves spinning a goose.
“Whatever you call them – ‘spin the goose’ – you have put these ads everywhere,” he said. “It has even got to the point, apparently, that my family is supposed to be behind it. My family… I am harassed over this every day. They are at me to pay attention. Look at what’s going on: the whole country is spinning that goose. Dmitry Nikolaevich, take this seriously.”
Dmitry Nikolaevich Krutoy is Lukashenko’s chief of staff. He reportedly responded by insisting that the market operates within existing rules, stating: “Everything is regulated, Comrade President.”
However, Lukashenko argued that regulation was not addressing public concerns. “It may be regulated, but the country has turned into a casino,” he said. “This Fonbets [a bookmaker operating in Belarus ] and the rest.”
The president also directed remarks to Vasily Gerasimov, chairman of the State Control Committee, referring to previous regulatory interventions against gambling operators.
He urged officials to examine the amount of money flowing through the industry, and out of the country stating: “Look at the turnover involved. There must be no departure from the interests of the state. And pay attention to these Fonbets and the casinos. Yes, they pay something somewhere. That does not mean the whole country should be hungry, especially under Kukharev,” (Minsk Mayor Vladimir Kukharev). He concluded by instructing regulators to carry out a thorough assessment of the market and develop concrete proposals for action.
