Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Ministry of Finance will not support any reform proposals that create privileged market players, its representatives said, adding that the Ministry remains committed to equal rules for all and the consistent application of the law, as it has done in recent years.

They said the Ministry has reformed the games of chance sector, established a modern regulatory framework, strengthened inspection oversight, and demonstrated that the state can be stronger than the illegal market.

“While some are trying to create the impression of a determined fight against games of chance through political amendments, the Ministry of Finance, under Minister Novica Vukovic and this Government, has accomplished what had not been achieved for more than two decades – it has reformed the games of chance sector,” the Ministry said in a press release.

The Ministry added that, for this reason, it cannot support the proposed amendment introducing a minimum distance of 80 metres between new betting outlets while allowing all existing locations that do not meet that requirement to continue operating.

“The Ministry of Finance’s opinion is not a political position but a professional and legal document based on the applicable legislation and the obligation to protect the public interest. For that reason, the Ministry warns that the state must not adopt regulations that undermine one of the fundamental principles of the legal system – equal treatment of all market players,” the press release reads.