Şahiner: New Legislation Would Allow TRNC Citizens To Enter Casinos

In a written statement, Şahiner said the proposed changes—currently under discussion at the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Finance, Budget and Planning—would ease restrictions not only on citizen access to casinos, but also on the establishment of gambling venues within 100 meters of schools and in central urban areas.

He argued that the amendments would hinder the contribution of local capital to the national economy and instead line the pockets of casino operators. He further claimed that the legislation would make it easier to grant unlimited casino licenses and facilitate delays or waivers in tax payments by casino owners.

Şahiner criticized the government for pushing forward with the proposal at a time when the economic and social conditions of the public are worsening. He asserted that the administration is about to make one of the most damaging policy decisions in the country’s history, with no regard for the people’s needs.

“The state of public finances is dire; we can’t even purchase a needle without borrowing,” he said. “Tensions in society have brought the country to the brink of civil strife, yet the government is solely focused on safeguarding the interests of the casinos.”

Condemning what he described as the government’s subservience to the gambling industry, Şahiner added, “While ignoring the needs of the people, the government has become a foot soldier for the casinos, enthusiastically pushing through every regulation in their favor.”