Fin. Min. slams Sejm deputies for obstructing bill reducing money laundering

Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz accused Sejm deputies from the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and Solidarity Election Action (AWS) of blocking an amendment to the law on gambling and lotteries, which could help the budget earn some zl. 135 million this year. The gambling industry in Poland has a large underground. The 5,500 slot machines licensed by the Finance Ministry could well account for less than 10% of the total number operating in Poland. If the amendment proposed by the Ministry came into force, owners of the machines would either have to legalize them or shut them down. The Finance Ministry estimates this alone could earn zl. 80 million for the budget. However, some deputies have doubts regarding this proposal, claiming most countries distinguish high- and low-winnings machines, with the latter subject to less rigorous regulations. The proposed amendment could also help fight money laundering, as companies investing in casinos would have to present documents on the source of their capital. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 32) T.J.