The government of Slovenia is to prepare a new gambling act and amend the country's regulations on gaming taxes.
On December 16, the government adopted a new gaming development strategy under which it will pursue the development of a long-term sustainable and internationally competitive gaming offer. It was stressed, however, that the organisation of gaming ought to be done in regulated and controlled environments, while domestic demand must only be met by the forms of gaming that pose the lowest risk of problem gambling.
Under the existing legislative framework, casino games can only be organised by companies that have been granted concessions by the government. This is limited to a maximum of 15 for games in casinos and 45 for special casino games in gaming halls. No more than two providers can permanently organise ‘classic’ gaming, such as tables.
It was stated in a report conducted for the preparation of the new gaming strategy that the market is presently saturated, with too many providers of casino games in both casinos and gaming halls.
"Additional demand can be ensured only with the additional range and a higher quality of the non-gaming offer accompanying the gaming offer," it said.
In 2010, the number of concessions that were awarded decreased, so that on June 30, 13 concessions were awarded for the organisation of classic gaming, nine for casino games in casinos and 33 for casino games in gaming halls.
Those classic gaming and casino games concessionaires achieved gross profits of €402.08m in 2009, with classic gaming representing 18 per cent of the market, compared with 47 per cent for casinos and 35 per cent for gaming halls.
Following the report’s findings, a new gambling act is to be prepared and a new tax system adopted.
