Slovak News Back to the news
Fifteen Entities to Date Sign Petition Against Mega-casino Project
Wednesday 30 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 30 (TASR) - A total of 15 organisations have so far signed a Slovakia-wide petition against the construction of the multi-functional Metropolis complex including casinos on the outskirts of Bratislava, according to a website called www.peticia.sk.
The organisers of the initiative want the president, Parliament, Government and local authorities to adopt decisions banning the construction of projects such as Metropolis in Slovakia.
Both Hungary and Slovenia have already rejected the project, states the petition, which was launched on December 22. So far it's been backed by entities such as civic organisation Forum of Life, the Slovak Society for the Family and Responsible Parenthood and Trnava-based civic organisation NEZA, which helps people addicted to gambling.
The authors of the petition claim that Metropolis would become the gambling centre of Europe, and would pose the threat increased crime related to drugs and prostitution, organised crime, addictions and an overall deterioration of morals in Slovakia.
The multi-functional entertainment and recreation project worth €1.5 billion, co-financed by Harrah's Entertainment Inc., should be made up of a commercial area, water park, conference facilities, hotels and sports arenas as well as casinos spread out over 1.2 million square metres. The project is touted to create 30,000 jobs in the long term as well as temporary jobs and strengthen the service sector in the economy.
The project was announced by Finance Minister Jan Pociatek in October. According to him, Metropolis should create 30,000 new jobs, attract 5 million tourists to Slovakia each year and increase state tax incomes by €600 million.
All rights reserved. Any publishing or further dissemination of press releases and photographs from TASR's resources without TASR's prior written approval constitutes a violation of the Copyrights Act.
