Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis of Latvia has now offered to reopen a law granting the gaming. This will allow gaming institutions only to the federal government. Kalvitis mentioned the change as he spoke to journalists on Nov. 21st.
The announcement came shortly after public uproar over Parliament's decision to change things. This means that they would strip municipalities from the right to determine zoning on gambling houses. It was only on November 17th that the law was passed with fully left-wing party support.
The coalition partner New Era called it the end of this government, if such a thing would go through. Kalvitis' People's Party and Latvia's First Party also seemed against this idea. Riga gambling house owners were happy with the new law. The Riga City Council has allowed for casinos to be in the capital, and promoted casinos and slot machines to be put in hotels. Many casinos and slot halls lost big from the previous regulations, and may profit from them now. |
