Riga, March 24 (LETA) - Today, the security, order and corruption prevention committee of the Riga City Council approved the draft binding regulation On Restrictions on the Organization of Gambling in the Administrative Territory of the Riga Municipality.

The committee was told that there are currently 76 gambling venues in Riga. Once the binding regulation enters into force, each gambling venue will have to be assessed for compliance with the new rules and a decision will have to be taken on each gambling venue.

Members were informed that during the preparation of the binding regulation, a citizens' survey was carried out, the results of which show that about half of the citizens believe that gambling venues in the capital should be closed, while a large majority of respondents believe that they should be restricted.

As reported, the binding rules foresee a ban on gambling near educational establishments, railway stations, bus stations, airports and other places.

Unlike the previous restrictions, which banned gambling throughout the city except in four- and five-star hotels, the new rules define different places and areas in Riga where gambling will not be allowed.

The rules are based on recommendations from the Constitutional Court and the results of a public discussions held in February this year.

The draft rules stipulate that gambling will not be allowed on municipal property, in neighborhood centers, on the grounds of educational establishments and within 300 meters of them, at railway stations, bus stations, airports and passenger ports and within 500 meters of them, and within 300 meters of public transport stops.

Gambling will not be allowed in the areas of detached, low-rise and high-rise residential buildings defined in the Riga Spatial Plan and within 300 meters of the boundaries of these functional zones, as well as in cultural monuments and their territories, their protection zones and the areas of building protection defined in the Riga Spatial Plan.

The Riga City Council explains that the restrictions in the draft regulation do not cover the entire territory of the municipality, nor do they affect the right of merchants to open and/or expand gambling venues in four- and five-star hotels.

The restrictions are intended to protect citizens from the widespread availability and visibility of gambling venues in the urban environment, thereby reducing the risk of people impulsively engaging in gambling as part of their daily routine, according to the municipality.

The municipality stresses that these restrictions will benefit a wide range of the public.

The new restrictions are subject to a transitional period of five years from the date of the municipality's decision to revoke the previously issued permits.

The final decision on the draft binding regulation on restrictions on gambling in the capital will be taken at the Riga City Council meeting on March 26.