director - Ministarstvo finansija

Functioning of the games of chance system
BULLETIN OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE/JANUARY-MARCH 2006
nizers of games of chance without having
approval for work were requested to obtain
the same within 15 days from the day
of the control. Most of them obtained the
said approval, whereby both number of
registered organizers and revenues stemming
from concession charges were increased.
Consequently, most of the organizers
started conducting legal operations
and were registered in compliance with
the Law, fulfilling thus their liabilities
arising out of concession charges.
Out of total number of organizers
who were controlled, 9 organizers failed
to proceed as required by the inspector,
and, accordingly, they were prohibited to
conduct their activities until identified
improper management was removed, and
a request for institution of infringement
proceedings against these persons was filed.
Moreover, criminal complaint was
brought with the competent authority
against 2 organizers, who were prohibited
to conduct their activities, but who removed
the seal and continued performing
their activities in spite of the prohibition
in force.
According to Article 76 of the Games
of Chance Law (»Official Gazette of RM«,
No. 52/04), legal persons who arranged
games of chance based on approval by the
Ministry of Finance and competent local
self-government authority were allowed
to continue arranging of such games until
expiration date of the approval, but
GAMES OF CHANES DEPARTMENT
not later than a year after the day of this
Law becoming effective. Such deadline expired
on 10 August 2005. Given that conditions
for arranging of games of chance
are stricter under the new Law as compared
to the previous one, the organizers
wanted to make use of advantages granted
under previous Law so most of them
waited until closing date to apply for reregistration.
In the period from 21 July
2005 to 28 February 2006, 383 concessions
were granted for arranging of games
of chance in compliance with the
new Law on Games of Chance, as follows:
33 organizers of betting games obtained
concession to open 330 betting places.
12 organizers of games of chance in
the gambling machines parlor obtained
concession to open 40 gambling machines
parlors.
2 organizers of TV tombola obtained
concession to arrange 3 TV tombolas.
9 organizers of limited-access tombola
obtained concession to arrange 9 limited-access
tombolas.
1 organizar of casino games obtained
concession to open a casino.
All organizers who obtained concessions
regularly fulfill their obligations.
Financial effects are as follows:
In 2004, total revenues stemming
from concession charges amounted to
1.424.415,37 eur, or on average about
119.000eur per month.
In 2005, total revenues stemming
from concession charges amounted to
1.763.091,59 eur, or on average
146.924,30 eur per month. Out of this
amount, until new Law became effective,
i.e. for the first 7 months, the revenues
amounted to 901.669,92 eur or on average
128.809,98 eur per month. For the last
5 months in 2005, the revenues amounted
to 861.421,67 eur or on average
172.284,20 eur per month.
- Revenues in January 2006 amounted
to 215.366.83 eur.
- Revenues in February 2006 amounted
to 301.175.04 eur.
***
The Law on Games of Chance and related
by-laws created institutional framework
for a more regulated and functional
games of chance system. The organizers
were given time period and possibility to
harmonize their activities with the new
Law within the transitional period. At the
same time, from the very adoption of the
Law, Ministry of Finance together with
the Tax Administration launched wellconceived
training, control and re-registration
activities with respect to the organizers
of games of chance in line with the
adopted Law. Until 10 August, i.e. expiration
of the transition period, most of the
organizers harmonized their activities
with the provisions under the new Law.
Infringement proceedings have been instituted
against those persons who failed
to harmonize their activities with the
new Law within the transition period.
Number of organizers and amount of
revenues stemming from the concession
charges (both indicators have almost
been doubled in the period from adoption
of the Law until now) indicate both
a success in the activities aimed at regulating
the games of chance system in Montenegro
and a significant elimination of
the grey economy in this field within a
short period of time. Regular inspections
both on-the-spot and from the office,
bring about apparent results.
***
Games of chance department
RADMILA VOROTOVIĆ, HEAD
VELJKO BEGOVIĆ, CHIEF INSPECTOR
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