Government approves new gambling legislation

The Czech government on Wednesday approved new gambling and lottery legislation that would allow foreigners to take part in the business, Prime Minister Petr Nečas said. The bill would require gambling and lottery operators to be based in the Czech Republic; internet operators would also have to be registered in the country. The draft legislation was dismissed by members of the Czech gaming industry who said large foreign betting firms, operating on-line for years, would not establish Czech branches. The bill should also give municipalities more power in regulating gambling.

Author: Jan Richter