The Northern Cyprus Assembly of the Republic has approved a relaxed set of laws for land-based casinos, despite heavy criticism from the main opposition party.
According to the Cyprus Mail, key changes in regulations include the removal of limits on how many casinos can be given planning permission in Northern Cyprus. Restrictions on how close a casino can be to a town center have also been dropped, while casinos can also now be built as close as 100 meters from a school.
The ban on Turkish Cypriots from entering casinos in the north has been downgraded to a civil offense. This means Turkish Cypriots could face fines of up to €50 ($57) by playing at a casino in Northern Cyprus.
In addition, the new rules make it easier for casinos to operate inside hotels. Now, hotels only need a minimum of 500 beds to run a casino, down from the previous limit of 750.
Some commentators have said the rule changes in the region, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, could see the number of casinos increase from 32 to 60.
Heavy Opposition Over New Rules for Casinos
New regulations were championed by the National Unity Party, which holds a majority in the Assembly. However, the Republic Turkish Party (CTP), the main opposition, raised concerns over the changes.
Fikri Toros of the CTP was among those to voice his criticism. He said while casinos can help the economy, they can also lead to “serious” social problems such as gambling addiction.
Toros also hit out at the decision to downgrade the ban on Turkish Cypriots from entering casinos. He said: “The fact that this ban can be violated with a symbolic penalty of €50 means that the state is encouraging its citizens to turn to gambling.”
The CTP’s Salahi Sahiner also criticized the changes. He picked out how the laws allow casinos to open so close to schools. He described this as a “betrayal to society.”
Sahiner asked: “Do you want children to become addicted to gambling? You are having casinos opened right next to schools. The mistake you make today will embarrass you in the eyes of your children. You are knowingly opening the door to gambling addictions, to societal collapse, and to destruction.”
Sami Ozuslu was another CTP member to speak out against the new regulations. He said the world will see Northern Cyprus as a “casino paradise.”
“We are surpassing Macau,” he said. “With this law, you are not only doubling the number of existing casinos but also filling all the coasts with these structures. Forget about taking them out of the cities, you have put them right next to the schools.”
