Draško Stanivuković criticizes SNSD over gambling expansion

Draško Stanivuković, president of the Pokret Sigurna Srpska, has accused the SNSD party of hypocrisy regarding the proliferation of gambling establishments in Republika Srpska. Stanivuković claims that after 20 years in power, the SNSD is attempting to present itself as a solution to a problem that its own policies helped facilitate.

According to Stanivuković, there are approximately 3,000 gambling venues operating in Republika Srpska, with nearly 700 located in Banja Luka. He noted that over 2,800 such facilities have opened in the last 17 years and that more than 15,000 gambling machines are currently accessible to children across the region.

Stanivuković stated that previous legislative proposals aimed at increasing taxes, banning advertising, and moving betting shops away from schools were rejected by the SNSD in both the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and the City Assembly. He announced plans to re-introduce anti-gambling legislation to ensure the protection of children.