Hayk Sarksyan on Betting Companies

“I have been approached by the Prime Minister's office to discuss the bill once again under the leadership of the Prime Minister.” This was stated today, on February 11, during a press briefing in the National Assembly by Hayk Sarksyan, a member of the “Civil Contract” faction, in response to a journalist’s question about why the bill he proposed was not included in today’s agenda.

“The bill I proposed is to establish an additional 10% turnover tax for betting companies, in addition to the current taxes and levies that exist. It has been discussed in the government during the ministers’ committee meeting, and a positive conclusion was given. The government meeting also approved the bill, and then it came to the National Assembly. In the National Assembly, during the permanent commission meeting on economic issues, it was discussed and a positive conclusion was given. However, I have been contacted by the Prime Minister's office to discuss the matter again under the Prime Minister’s leadership,” said Hayk Sarksyan, noting that this was the reason the bill was not included in today’s agenda.

He mentioned that the exclusion of the bill from the four-day agenda was his initiative, so it could be discussed once more with the Prime Minister's participation when he returns from France. Hayk Sarksyan rejected journalists' observations that the government is trying to obstruct the adoption of the bill.