Slots and horse racing bets should be banned in Israel, according to a new report issued by the Commission on Gambling Regulations.
Last week a joint press conference was held to discuss the report which was issued by the Justice Ministry and the Finance Ministry.
The commission had been tasked with identifying ways to increase the efficiency of the gambling industry and reduce risks for gamblers. The outcome was a recommendation to ban slots and video poker machines which are run by the national lottery monopoly Mifal HaPayis. Currently there are around 500 of the machines located in 150 lottery shops.
Another recommendation was that racetrack betting in the hands of another monopoly, the Israel Sports Betting Board Toto, should also be banned.
Both Finance Minister, Moshe Kahlon and Justice Minister Emi Palmor, pledged themselves to ensure that the recommendations are approved by the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.
Moshe Kahlon is a particularly vehement opponent to gambling and also suggested that there should be a tax on lottery winnings. Currently wins under NIS50k (US$13k) are not taxed but Kahlon wants to lower the threshold to NIS5k. He is also opposed to the plan by the Tourism Ministry to open the country’s first casino in Eilat.
