THE GOVERNMENT is to commission two studies to examine the impact of setting up a casino in Cyprus.
At a news conference yesterday, Tourism Minister George Lillikas said he had completed consultations with political parties on the issue of casinos on Monday.
“There have been social and economic concerns raised by all parties. Yet before any final decision is reached we must understand the consequences of a casino,” said Lillikas.
He added there were experts in other countries who had studied the effects of a casino on society and the economy and that in a few weeks a proposal to do such a thing in Cyprus would be given to the Cabinet.
“It is the right thing for us to do, the mature and appropriate thing is for us is to await such a study here by experts before we come to a decision,” stated Lillikas.
There will be two separate studies. The one study would cover the financial and tourism sectors while the second will examine the social effects of a casino. After the second round of talks the Cabinet will reach a decision by the end of the year.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and once the studies have been conducted the parties will meet again for another round of talks, Lillikas said.
“I am certain that we will not reach a unanimous decision. People’s opinions will differ and this is to be expected.
“We will weigh out the pros and cons on the implementation of a casino and decide,” he said.
AKEL was the only party to express strong opposition to allowing a casino. Deputy Stavros Evagorou said yesterday the party had strong reservations on the issue and appealed to the public to remember the boom and fall of the stock exchange where so many people lost not only their money, but their homes and property. This was a form of gambling, he said.
“We will examine the study, but believe that this won’t determine the effects a casino will have. A casino is a place where people will inevitably lose their money,” said Evagorou, sating although gambling already went on in Cyprus, having a casino would only promote the addiction further.
“We know there is gambling going on through betting and with people going over to the other side, where there are casinos. However, this does not mean that we have to nurture an already existing problem by opening a casino in the free areas,” said Evagorou.
He added that just because there were casinos in the North this did not mean the free areas had to follow suit. “Our stance will not change and we are determined to stick to our guns and not succumb to having a casino on our island,” said Evagorou.
