Online sports betting bill in Slovenia rejected by the upper chamber of the legislature

The upper chamber of the Legislature has rejected the measure that would permit operators to apply for online sports betting licences.

The National Council on Tuesday voted 18-12 in favour of a suspensory veto of the bill that would give a go-ahead to operators to apply for online sports betting licences in Slovenia. In order to get acceded the bill needs a second vote in the National Assembly.

The suspensory veto on the amendment to the gambling law was supported by state councillors. According to a  member of the National Council, Boris Šuštaršič, the liberalisation of the sports betting market organised by the Sports Lottery of Slovenia would have a negative impact on the financing of disability, humanitarian and sports organisations from concession duties.

State councillors sent a new law to the parliament for a new decision. The National Assembly will have to decide on the statutory texts again at one of the extraordinary sessions, and a confirmation of them will require at least 46 parliamentary votes.

Last week, a chamber of the Assembly voted 35-26 in favour of the bill that backs up the  European Economic Community-based operators to apply for online sports betting licenses. The current regime in the country only allows Športna Loterija to offer sports betting services.

The bill introduced by MP Branko Zorman in January is seeking to raise additional funds for national sports and humanitarian organisations. While Zorman is a member of the coalition Modern Center Party (SMC), which currently governs the European territory, the party never got to approve the bill.

The bill establishes that online sports betting licenses would need to pay €500k, while the annual share of revenue that the government receives would increase from €3.5 million to €13 million.