Israel finance minister wants to ban slots and race betting, maintain casino ban

Israel should ban slot machines and betting on the horses, according to the findings of a new government report.

On Wednesday, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Justice Ministry General Director Emi Palmor held a joint press conference to discuss a new report by the Commission on Gambling Regulations.

The Commission, which was made up of representatives from both ministries, was asked to identify ways to (a) increase efficiency in the legal gambling industry and (b) reduce the potential harms of gambling on the country’s most vulnerable citizens.

The report recommends banning the slots and video poker gaming machines run by national lottery monopoly Mifal HaPayis. There are currently around 500 such gaming machines located in 150 lottery shops.