Employee reveals: Money in BiH is easiest to launder through betting shops

Illegal money in Bosnia and Herzegovina is easiest to put into circulation through sports betting shops. Players who deposit money are not required to leave their details at the betting shop counter. On the other hand, betting shop owners are not prevented from showing that they had hundreds of deposits during the day, in amounts they determine themselves.

- Practically, I have the option to show illegal money as bettor deposits, and in that way, very cheaply, put such money into legal circulation - says one of the employees from a sports betting shop for NAP, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

When asked if she actually does that, she replies:

- Yes, sometimes.

Most betting shops have their headquarters in the area of western Herzegovina. For years, they have been the biggest debtors due to non-payment of taxes and contributions for workers. And now it has turned out that they also have very strong political support from the highest officials of the HDZ BiH.

The SDA recently requested amendments to the Law on Games of Chance. From this party, they requested taxation of winnings smaller than 100 KM, which is currently not subject to taxation. According to rough estimates, this would annually bring an additional around 200 million KM into the joint coffers of the FBiH.

This proposal was also supported by the opposition, but not by the HDZ BiH. They strongly opposed such a draft law. The President of the FBiH, Marinko Čavara, also held an urgent meeting with representatives of betting shops.

- The SDA's proposal would only solve part of the problem. Putting illegal money into legal circulation in BiH remains a burning issue, produced by betting shops - warns Fuad Kasumović, former deputy state minister of finance, for NAP.