Proposal by the city councilor of the Socialist Party of Iceland for Reykjavík City to 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 due to the harm they cause. People struggling with gambling addiction and their relatives 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 Reykjavík's Master Plan 2040 contains specific provisions on the location of gambling halls. 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 implement necessary changes, make the changes itself that are possible 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 shall be tasked with working together towards this goal until a solution is found. The Welfare Department shall be tasked with leading the work.

Statement of Reasons

86% of the nation wants slot machines to be permanently closed, according to a Gallup opinion poll conducted in 2020 for the Association of People Concerned with Gambling Addiction (SÁS). The survey also shows that a very small group of the nation regularly plays slot machines. More details about the survey results can be readhere.

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 the full truth of how harmful slot machine addiction is, as well as to pressure authorities to permanently close slot machines in Iceland. The campaign is run by SÁS, the Association of People Concerned with Gambling Addiction.

Much information can be found on the website lokum.is, and in an article by Alma Hafsteinsdóttir titledIs there a slot machine in your neighborhood?from February 2021, it is stated that there are 872 slot machines in Iceland. Of these, 411 are in Reykjavík. There has been much discussion about the operation of slot machines recently; for example, on March 25, 2021, a representative of Flokkur fólksins in the city council submitted a proposal for a review of rules and regulations concerning slot machines with the aim of preventing their operation and the harmful consequences of such operation.

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 regulations regarding the operation of slot machines that could be revised with the objectives set forth in the proposal, as it concerned an activity authorized by law.

The opinion pointed out that Reykjavík's Master Plan 2010-2030 contains specific provisions on the location of gambling halls, and such operations are only permitted in central areas and commercial zones in Reykjavík. The proposal was rejected. It should be noted here that a gambling hall refers to a space where more than 4 slot machines are operated and the operation of slot machines is the main activity taking place there.Herethe opinion can be read in full.

Given the harmful effects of slot machines, it is proposed that Reykjavík City advocate for their operation to cease. Various public entities and associations have concluded that the operation of slot machines has harmful effects and that action must be taken. The board of SÁÁ decided at the end of 2020 to cease its involvement 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.Herethe Directorate's opinion can be read.

A working group on issues related to the revenue generation of the University of Iceland Lottery (Starfshópur um álitaefni tengd tekjuöflun Happdrættis HÍ) submitted its findings on June 28, 2021.Herethe document can be read in full, where it was stated, among other things, that "public opinion on slot machines is negative, and it can be assumed that critical voices will become increasingly louder. 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 player cards."

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