MP Radu Marian came up with explanations over the draft law concerning gambling advertising, which was recently registered in Parliament. According to him, the vast majority of advertising restrictions remain in place. The bill allows advertising for sports betting and lottery during national TV/radio broadcasts of sports events, but also between 22:00 and 07:00, IPN reports.
“I will explain why we do this. In the vast majority of European countries, betting advertising is allowed, including at international sports competitions that are broadcast live on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, such as the Champions League or European and world football championships. This major difference in regulations between the rest of the countries and our country creates situations in which any broadcast of an international sporting event in the audiovisual space of our country breaks the law,” said Radu Marian.
According to him, the European football championship was recently held in Germany and a betting company was one of the main sponsors. The Republic of Moldova had no possibility to prohibit the kinds of advertisements displayed in Germany. Likewise, there were situations when sports teams from other countries playing in Moldova had logos of sports betting companies written on their T-shirts. And again, an embarrassing situation and a risk that these matches cannot be played are witnessed.
“In order not to put the national lottery company of Moldova at a disadvantage compared to foreign companies (which contribute substantially to the budget), we intervened to allow advertising for sports betting and lottery in the audiovisual space between 22.00 and 07.00, when the audiences are the lowest. I remind that 75% of the profits generated from gambling reach the state budget. In 2023, 290 million lei reached the state treasury as a result of these activities,” stated Radu Marian.
The parliamentarian specified that the most invasive advertising, online and on outdoor banners, remains categorically prohibited. Likewise, advertising for gambling with the greatest social risk, such as gaming machines, but also advertising on TV/radio until 22:00 remains prohibited.
