A gambling bill that seeks to bolster the police’s capabilities by introducing strict penalties is expected to be passed by parliament in Cyprus before the summer recess.
It would allow authorities to shut down venues where illegal gambling was taking place, even if the case was still pending in court, including five years in jail and fines up to €300,000.
House Interior Affairs Committee chairman, AKEL MP Yiannos Lamaris, said the bill aimed to make it easier for authorities to stamp out illegal gambling. Lamaris said current legislation made it difficult for authorities to prove the illegal use of gambling machines.
The bill allows authorities to shut down an establishment until the case was tried by a court. It was not unusual for police to raid a place and seize all the equipment only for it to open the next day with new machines.
Ruling DISY MP Andreas Kyprianou said the legislation was a positive development that gave the authorities the power to secure an injunction to suspend the operation of a venue.
