North Cyprus bill would allow Turkish Cypriots into casinos for the first time

Proposed amendments to the Northern Cyprus gambling laws, introduced by the ruling coalition, could allow Turkish Cypriots to enter casinos for the first time, opposition party CTP MP Salahi Sahiner said on Friday.

As per a report by Cyprus Mail, Sahiner warned that the amendments “will prevent domestic capital from contributing to the country’s economy and instead fill the coffers of casinos."

Currently, Turkish Cypriots holding a ‘TRNC’ identity card are prohibited from entering casinos in the north.

Sahiner also pointed out that the amendments would eliminate the existing regulations that prevent casinos from being built near schools and city centers, as well as remove the limit of five casinos per company in the north. Additionally, casinos would be automatically licensed for any hotel with 1,000 or more beds.

“These regulations will make it easier for tax payments to be delayed and for unlimited casino permits to be granted,” said Sahiner. “The government is about to make one of the biggest mistakes in history while people’s lives are becoming more difficult day by day, and the government is aiming to protect the interests of the casinos.”

Sahiner also criticized the government's failure to address public financial problems, noting that the country is so deep in debt it can barely afford basic necessities. He added that, despite this, the government seems more focused on safeguarding the casino industry.

“The government has been like the three monkeys – see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil – over the needs of its people, but has become full of orders of all kinds of regulations over the casinos,” Sahiner stressed.

He further warned that if the amendments are approved as they stand, the number of casinos in the north could "triple in no time." The north currently has around 30 casinos.

“It is unacceptable that the government breaks its fast at the end of the month of Ramadan by sharing profits with casinos,” Sahiner said. “While government representatives have acted as spokespeople for the casinos’ representatives, the casinos’ representatives have been acting as if they are parliamentary committee chairmen.”