Federal representative Dennis Gratz (Naša stranka) reacted strongly to the withdrawal and amendments to the Laws on Gambling and on Personal Income Tax. These laws were first proposed by members of the SDA, but then withdrawn under pressure from gambling lobbyists and the Croatian democratic Union of BiH.
Gratz warns that over three-quarters of gains through gambling are less than one hundred KM, and are not taxed, which causes obvious damage to the federal budget, and as well makes the private betting companies’ motive to maintain such practices clear.
“Members of the HDZ BiH have shown that they are only willing to work in the Federation Parliament when it’s necessary to protect the big interest groups. This does not include the wellbeing of the Croatian people, as they like to call them, nor the common wellbeing of all citizens within the Federation. However, the SDA has shown that they are ready to suppress their religious morality when it appears to oppose the policies of their coalition partners. There are certain values which should remain non-negotiable; those values which are linked to the common good of the whole society” said Gratz.
The proposals anticipated the involvement of the local government in making decisions about this issue. It was suggested to distance betting shops from schools, increase taxes, increase sanctions for violations, limit the number of betting places, and establish a unique way of taxation for all games, which would of course significantly increase tax revenues.
“Last month, this issue divided a large section of the parliament, proving what an important issue it actually is. It really is unbelievable that a political elite in the Federation worries about a law. It’s very simple; betting lobbies hinder the Federation “, concluded Gratz.
(Source: Klix.ba)
