Irkutsk deputies are intent to ban slot machines from July 1st
At the session of Irkutsk region Legislative Assembly (LA), which is planned for April 25th, they will consider the legislation “On banning activities involved in gambling organization and arrangement using slot machines or slot machines and other gaming equipment, except gaming tables, within Irkutsk region”. As a reporter of IA REGNUM was informed by the LA spokespeople, on April 9th the draft had been approved by the LA Property and Economic Policy Committee.
Maxim Surnin, the Chairman of the Committee, remarks that casino operations will not be forbidden by far, but they will proceed only if they meet a number of special requirements, including the increase of the gambling facilities charter capital. In addition, gambling facilities shall be located at a distance from child institutions and administrative buildings. Maxim Surnin believes that casinos will include real estate properties in their charter capitals, and they will be evaluated high, therefore municipalities will receive additional revenues due to the property tax.
"The legislation is targeted to minimize negative social consequences, still keeping the tax base”, says Maxim Surnin.
Meanwhile deputies comment that it is impossible to speak about the legislation economic consequences by far, as the regional administration has not yet submitted the information on the number of gambling facilities in the region, what kinds of gambling bring more revenues to the budget, etc. Besides, as deputies remark, the question if slot machines may be left in casinos or if they will have to be removed from there as well is still vague. Irkutsk parliament members are planning to give this issue individual consideration. However, Artyom Kudashov, the Head of the Central Legal Administration of the Irkutsk region Governor, says: “Slot machines will be left in casinos, we cannot ban them there”.
By now the members of the LA Property and Economic Policy Committee have recommended to draft for adoption at the April session. It will also be considered at the meeting of the LA profile budget committee.
Be informed that, according to the FTS Administration of Irkutsk region and Ust-Ordynski Buryatia Autonomous Region, as of 2006, the local budget of the region received 191mn rubles of gambling taxes.
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