RIGA, Sept 8 (LETA) - Kekava regional council today made a decision to ban organization of gambling business in the whole territory of Kekava municipality.

The local council adopted regulations, providing that organization of gambling in the whole territory is banned. This ban does not refer to those cases when there is still a valid gambling license.

The proposal submitted to local lawmakers includes information that there is scientific proof that addiction to gambling brings negative consequences on individuals, families, communities and the whole society. Gambling harms psychical and physical health, family relations, causes financial prolems.

Kekava municipality is the first Latvian municipalities to make such a decision based on legislative amendments to the law on gambling and lotteries that came into force on April 17.