Vilnius slams plans to bring in high number of gambling machines

Members of Vilnius Municipality Council have slammed plans aimed at installing a high number of gambling machines throughout cafe's and bars in the city. 

Lithuania's government (Seimas) is currently considering the plans to install the machines in hotels, cafe's, restaurants and bars. However, the proposals been met with criticism by other officials, including Vilnius mayor Arturas Zuokas who believes the machines would have negative outcomes.

"The damage of this law is that the councils of the municipalities are being completely eliminated. People will not be asked to turn to the municipality and to ask where they can place such gambling machine," said Zuokas.

The mayor added that no civilized country should support the development of the gambling which was considered by the Seimas at that moment.

In the sitting of the Council of the Municipality which was taking place on Wednesday, Zuokas encouraged his colleagues to express their position and to not approve of such amendments to the law.