Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) - April 18, 2001

Vilnius (dpa) - The Lithuanian parliament passed a bill on gambling taxes Tuesday, thereby completing a new body of laws that will legalise gambling.

From July games such as roulette, bingo and bets will be allowed. In contrast to other European countries, gambling was banned in the Baltic state until now.

The ministry of finance hopes to collect up to six million U.S. dollars yearly in additional taxes and licence fees.

Gambling as an issue provoked a heated public discussion, with Catholic church officials calling it "immoral" and oppositional politicians describing it as an "invitation for corruption".

The unusual low tax rate of 15 per cent on the income of casino holders was one of the points of criticism. Almost ten lawmakers have asked Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus to use his veto right against legalisation.

But the centre-right government of Prime Minister Rolandas Paksas believes that by setting up a new supervision department it can counteract fears of money-laundering.

Only stock holdings will be allowed to run casinos, under permanent state control. To receive official permission they will have to stand a check by Lithuanian security institutions.

The new law gives access to gambling houses only to people aged over 21.

Illegal casinos already exist in all the bigger cities.

dpa