The Green Left Front (ZLF) calls for a complete ban on gambling advertisements in Serbia, believing it to be the most effective way to protect public health.
The ZLF-organized forum "Games of Chance, Games Concerning Public Health" criticized the current Serbian government's draft proposal that limits actors and singers from promoting gambling, stating that these measures are insufficient.
People's representative Biljana Đorđević emphasized that the ZLF submitted a stricter proposal in March advocating for a total ban on gambling ads. Despite the submission, Đorđević noted that the government has yet to initiate discussions on this matter.
The current government's draft legislation does not include a comprehensive advertising law, currently allowing athletes to advertise for gambling—raising concerns about its impact on young audiences.
Đorđević also questioned the absence of the Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Telecommunications, Tomislav Momirović, in discussions about the issue, highlighting the government's lack of robust advertising regulations.
She criticized the practice of gambling companies sponsoring sports clubs and organizing humanitarian activities, which could normalize gambling and attract children.
ZLF legislator Marina Mijatović reiterated the necessity of banning gambling advertisements and believed that the current government measures fail to adequately protect vulnerable groups, especially minors.
Mijatović stated, "Gambling games cannot be abolished, but they do not need all these flashy advertisements to attract people's attention. ZLF also advocates that gambling venues should not attract attention and provoke people, especially those who are struggling with gambling addiction."
Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Telecommunications Tomislav Momirović partially acknowledged these concerns and announced plans to ban betting shops from advertising on billboards to reduce street visibility.
However, ZLF insists that more comprehensive measures are needed to mitigate the risks of gambling harm.
