Faruliava: Gambling Business Is a Leading Business That the Ruling Party Gives a Green Light To

According to Lasha Faruliava, one of the leaders of the United National Movement, the planned changes to the law on the organization of lotteries, gambling and winning games will strengthen the gaming business in the country.

In an appearance on Palitranews' show "Resume", Faruliava said that ludomania is an existential and vital problem among young people. He said that he agrees with the Patriarchate and knows that Shio III was involved in making some effective regulation against ludomania happen. Faruliava says the Church plays a major role, its involvement will be effective, and he fully supports it.

Faruliava said: "Gambling business is a leading business in Georgia that the ruling party gives a green light to, and while doing so, it opposes nothing, neither public campaigns nor initiatives, because this is their business". He said former Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri has a totalizator and casino business, which Levan Khabeishvili exposed.

According to the opposition politician, the government's approach is a catastrophe. In his statement, if an independent anti-corruption bureau existed in the country, everything would be clarified, but talking about an investigation loses its meaning when the legislative body is "Bidzina Ivanishvili's notary".

Faruliava said that sport has been subordinated to the gaming business: a stadium is being named after totalizator, while "Riyis Dokebi" was demolished and a casino is being built there. According to him, the totalizator appeared next to the Sioni Cathedral during the previous government and he does not like it, although he does not consider it illegal: someone bought the building and opened a casino, but the law was not adopted by the "National Movement".

Faruliava also noted that sport, especially the national championship, is in a difficult situation. According to him, sportsmen sitting in parliament do not care about saving Georgian football and in one day help the gaming business. Faruliava asks the ruling team why it does not react to the Patriarchate calling this wrong.