Press Release ONJN: Clarifications on the information appearing in the public space on minors’ access to gambling venues
The National Gambling Office would like to clarify the information that appeared in the article entitled “Minors left in gambling halls? What condition is being considered to allow them access”, published by Hotnews.
We would like to point out that the ONJN has never considered and has never discussed a legislative amendment that would allow minors access to specialized venues. The statement that the legislation could be amended so that minors “can enter the halls if they are not actually playing” is erroneous and does not reflect the reality of the position of our institution, nor the discussions that took place during the meeting of the Advisory Council to the ONJN referred to, together with representatives of the associations, and even less the legislative reality.
The law is very clear in this regard: minors are forbidden access to gambling halls according to Art. (3) of GEO 77/2009, and this prohibition remains firm and unchanged.
The regulation of minors’ access to gambling is distinct from discussions on self-exclusion from gambling. The subject of self-exclusion is exclusively aimed at adults and envisages the possibility offered by the law for these persons to voluntarily decide to join a national register of self-excluded persons in order to be protected.
In this regard, in the Advisory Council meeting referred to in the article, discussions were held on improving the current regulatory framework on the self-exclusion procedure, regulated in art. 15^1 of GEO 77/2009, a procedure that concerns only adults.
The National Gambling Office reaffirms its commitment to ensure compliance with the legal framework and to protect vulnerable categories, including minors, from any exposure to gambling activities.
Any information contrary to the above and to this principle is unfounded and should be treated as such.
Press Release ONJN: Clarifications on the information appearing in the public space on minors’ access to gambling venues
