Hopes that Israel would open up to casinos were dashed by an announcement from Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Justice Ministry Director General Emi Palmor that the government plans to go in the opposite direction and tighten up on the limited legal gambling that already exists.
Speaking at a joint press conference following the release of a report by a think tank led by the heads of the two ministries, Kahlon and Palmor said they would implement all of the report’s recommendations, including a limit on the size of the legal gambling sector, a prohibition on operating “addictive” games, a tax increase on money earned through gambling and other limitations.
“Israel’s weakest and poorest are being sold illusions and false hopes every day,” Kahlon said. “As of next year, there will not be a single gambling machine or any horseracing in Israel.
He added, “As long as I am finance minister there will be no casinos in Israel.”
The only legal gambling in the country consists of Mifal HaPayis, which operates a national lottery and gambling machines, and the Sports Betting Council, which manages betting on various sports and horseracing.
