Proposal by the Socialist Party of Iceland's city councilor that Reykjavík City take action against slot machines

Reykjavík City agrees to do everything in its power to ensure that no slot machines are operated within the city limits due to the harm they cause. People struggling with gambling addiction and their families have reported the social, financial, and mental harm of gambling addiction. It is therefore proposed that the city do everything it can to ban slot machines. The operation of slot machines is permitted by law, but the Reykjavík Master Plan 2040 contains specific provisions on the location of arcades. It is proposed that Reykjavík City utilize all available methods with the aim of removing slot machines from the city space. Reykjavík City should pressure the state to make the necessary changes, make the changes it can itself to prevent the operation of slot machines, and thereby encourage other municipalities and public entities to prevent the operation of slot machines. All departments and councils of the city will be tasked with working together towards this goal until a solution is found. The Department of Welfare will be tasked with leading the work.

Statement of Reasons

86% of Icelanders want slot machines to be permanently closed, according to a Gallup attitude survey conducted in 2020 for the Association of People Concerned about Gambling Addiction (Samtök áhugafólks um spilafíkn (SÁS)). The survey also shows that a very small group of Icelanders regularly play slot machines. More information about the survey results can be foundhere.

The harm of slot machines has been revealed in the personal stories of those with gambling addiction. These personal stories can be read on the website lokum.is, andLokumis an awareness campaign that aims to inform the Icelandic nation about how harmful addiction to slot machines is, as well as to pressure the authorities to permanently close slot machines in Iceland. The campaign is run by SÁS, the Association of People Concerned about Gambling Addiction.

A lot of information can be found on the website lokum.is, and in Alma Hafsteinsdóttir's article titledIs there a slot machine in your neighborhood?from February 2021, it states that there are 872 slot machines in Iceland. Of these, 411 are in Reykjavík. There has been a lot of discussion about the operation of slot machines recently; for example, on March 25, 2021, a representative of the People's Party (Flokkur fólksins) in the city council submitted a proposal for a review of regulations and bylaws regarding slot machines with the aim of preventing the operation of slot machines and the harmful consequences of such operations.

In the opinion of the city council's office manager accompanying the proposal, it was stated, among other things, that the operation of slot machines is governed by Act No. 38/2005 on lotteries and Act No. 13/1973 on the University of Iceland Lottery. The opinion also stated that Reykjavík City had not established rules or bylaws on the operation of slot machines that could be reviewed with the objectives set forth in the proposal, as it was an activity permitted by law.

The opinion pointed out that the Reykjavík Master Plan 2010-2030 contained specific provisions on the location of arcades, and such operations are only permitted in central areas and commercial areas in Reykjavík. The proposal was rejected. It should be noted here that an arcade means a space where more than 4 slot machines are operated and the operation of slot machines is the main activity taking place there.Hereyou can read the full opinion.

In light of the harmful effects of slot machines, it is proposed that Reykjavík City advocate for the cessation of their operation. Various public entities and non-governmental organizations have concluded that the operation of slot machines has harmful effects and that action needs to be taken. The board of SÁÁ decided at the end of 2020 to cease its participation in the operation of slot machines. Furthermore, the Directorate of Health supports a ban on the operation of slot machines in Iceland. This was stated in the Directorate's opinion on a bill by two members of parliament that provides for such a ban.Hereyou can read the Directorate's opinion.

A working group on issues related to the revenue generation of the University of Iceland Lottery (Happdrætti HÍ) submitted its findings on June 28, 2021.Hereyou can read the full document, which stated, among other things, that "public attitudes towards slot machines are negative, and it can be assumed that critical voices will become increasingly louder. The results of domestic and international research also show clear links between gambling problems and the use of slot machines. The University of Iceland must therefore emphasize harm reduction measures in connection with the operation of slot machines by encouraging HHÍ to take the necessary steps as soon as possible to implement gambling cards."

The Socialist representative reiterates that all avenues must be pursued against that which causes so much harm in society. It is therefore proposed that the city council participate in the fight against slot machines.