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The deputies of the Civil Contract Faction Gevorg Papoyan and Tsovinar Vardanyan came up with a legislative initiative and proposed to make amendments to the Laws on Gambling Games, Internet Gambling Games and Casinos and on Lotteries.

The Chair of the Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs Gevorg Papoyan presented the motive for making amendments to the National Assembly at the sitting of the National Assembly convened on April 12.

He emphasized that the legislative initiative stems from the Government’s programme and the nature of its actions.

According to Gevorg Papoyan, the bill is for the citizens who are in a socially vulnerable situation, but at the same time have a gambling addiction, as a result of which, their social situation is getting worse. “The worst situation that we face is when a person makes a bet with the benefit provided by the state,” the deputy noted.

The bill imposes certain restrictions, in particular, after the entry into force of the law, it will not be possible to make bets on gambling games, internet gambling games, lotteries in cash, and after 6 months, it will be possible to pay by e-wallet, and the only option to make bets will be a non-cash method.

The member of the Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs Arusyak Manavazyan presented the positive position of the Committee.

The co-rapporteur, the Deputy Minister of Finance Armen Hayrapetyan informed that the position of the Government on the bill was positive and submitted improving proposals which were almost completely accepted.

The deputies, highlighting the presented draft, noted that the gambling disaster should be controlled by all possible means, and correct taxation mechanisms should be introduced.

The Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Babken Tunyan reminded that before this the draft was a restriction on advertising. “This is the next step, there will also be steps in this direction in the near future.” He stressed that the presented initiative does not completely solve the problem, but if the contingent is clear to state through identification, it will also allow to develop certain mechanisms.