Kosovo continues gambling ban

The cabinet of Kosovo voted to back the 10 year ban on gambling proposed in the country.

Kosovo.- Kosovo’s government continues with its intention to ban gambling for 10 years: the cabinet voted on Tuesday to back a 10 year ban on gambling. This move comes after two gambling-related deaths in the country.

Leader in parliament of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Avdullah Hoti had proposed the motion in an extraordinary parliamentary session and was later approved. The cabinet reaffirmed that decision on Tuesday and voted in favor of a 10 year ban.

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said during a government session before the cabinet vote that only a state controlled lottery will be able to operate in Kosovo. “It is total chaos, a total abuse and it is good that we are stopping this,” Haradinaj said.

The ban proposal is now headed to the parliament for approval. Despite the full approval from the cabinet, the gambling industry is severely opposed to the measure because it would left thousands of workers jobless.

The reason why Kosovo rushed to ban gambling

Two people were murdered in Kosovo last week at two different casinos. One of the victims worked at a gambling centre in Suhareka, while the other was a casino employee in Lipjan. While it’s unclear if the murders happened because of their jobs, the politicians in Kosovo rushed to order the clampdown. “We can’t allow casinos that feed crime and gambling to determine the fate of individuals and our families,” Hoti said.