Part of the revenue would be allocated to fight illegal gambling.
Prime Minister’s Office director general Avigdor Yitzhaki estimates that one legal casino would generate for the state $60 million a year, a part of which would be allocated to fighting illegal gambling. Yitzhaki was speaking at the Knesset in response to the establishment of an MK lobby against casinos headed by MK Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor).
Yitzhaki said it was better to establish legal casinos than to allow illegal ones to continue to operate. In his estimation, the easing of the security situation would lead to the establishment of casinos in Ramallah and Kalkilya, in addition to the reopening of the Oasis casino in Jericho. The establishment of casinos in the Palestinian Authority will necessitate the establishment of legal casinos in Israel.
Yitzhaki wants a public committee owned by Mifal Hapayis to handle gambling in Israel. A tender would be published to select an international company to operate the casinos. The winning company would open casinos as tourist anchors in Eilat, Mizpe Ramon, and the Dead Sea.
Most of the MK lobby against casinos are members of the haredi (ultra-orthodox) and religious parties. MK Shaul Yahalom (National Religious Party) concurs with Pines-Paz that there is a Knesset majority against the casinos.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on June 23, 2003