E-betting Bill Pending in House of Representatives

Tensions heated up between the government and parliament after government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou urged the House of Representatives to vote on a new bill regulating online gambling companies in response to criticism that the Council of Ministers did not include a plan to introduce casinos in a new package of measures to boost the economy.

"We hope that the House of Representatives will finally move quickly to end the discussion and vote on this legislation that will regulate e-gambling and bring revenues to the state," said Stefanou.

On the matter of introducing casinos to Cyprus, Stefanou said that it was not included in the package because it is not ready: "When the government is ready to take its decisions on the issue of casinos, this decision will be based on concrete data."

The 2012 Budget does not included revenue from the creation of casinos, he said, hitting back at criticsim from DISY MP Averoff Neophytou and denying that Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias ever talked about massive investments in casinos during a visit to the President by gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson.

Economic growth has slowed considerably and the government is casting around for new ways to develop business and generate revenues, bringing the possibility closer that a casino and e-gambling industry will be introduced.

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