Transparency International: Finance Ministry concedes to betting lobby

The Ministry of Finance is making concessions to the lobbying from betting companies, the global corruption watchdog Transparency International and Občané proti hazardu public association announced on Thursday. The ministry has reportedly softened the draft lottery law, leaving out certain measures for protecting gamblers and cancelling limits on the number of gambling venues and the amount a person can win or lose. The head of Transparency International, David Ondráčka, said the ministry should return to the original draft of the legislation. The Finance Ministry has denied the accusations.