All of Amir Zukić's efforts regarding betting shops rejected by SDA

When he requested the introduction of betting shops into the VAT system at the beginning of February this year, Amir Zukić, Secretary General of SDA and MP in the FBiH Parliament, did not stop imposing his demands for order to be introduced into the betting business.

In April this year, Zukić constantly demanded that the new law determine who would collect taxes from the operation of betting shops. From the beginning of his campaign, it seemed that he had strong and serious support within his party. At least, that's how it appeared at first glance.

It was Zukić who then initiated the equal taxation of winnings in betting shops, up to one hundred KM. He even prepared amendments to the Law on Games of Chance and the Law on Income Tax.

– I expect the FBiH Government to prepare a proposal for amendments to the law on games of chance within 15 to 20 days, which will regulate this area as it should be – Zukić was convinced at the time.

He announced that he expects the Federation Government to refine and return this serious proposal to Parliament.

- I expect, he said, that taxes will be recorded and paid on the spot, by returning them to the local communities themselves - Zukić said. 

However, 15 and 20 days passed, and then another month, and no one from the Government even began to address Zukić's demands.

The matter was almost forgotten and neglected overnight. All of Amir Zukić's efforts were thrown to the wind. It is obvious that the Government made some other arrangements and abandoned Zukić's proposals.

In the meantime, he publicly stated that attempts were made to threaten and intimidate him.

Eyewitnesses also speak of an attempted traffic accident on the highway towards Visoko. Zukić was even driving his minor children at the time. 

Therefore, internal deals within the Government between SDA and HDZ ministers satisfied the interests of the betting companies, and eliminated a serious initiative, extremely beneficial for this country. The stance that Zukić bravely took has practically been trampled underfoot, thanks to the vested interests that connect SDA with HDZ.

Amir Zukić, who was rumored to have networked power within the party, was left alone in an unresolved situation. So, is this another victim of SDA's unprincipled policy and attitude towards serious state-building issues?

The fact is that Zukić sincerely and openly represented a great and serious idea, and was very cheaply sold out by his SDA. There is no doubt that he went too far in his demands, thus risking his political credibility and integrity, as much as he had.

The fact is that elections are won or lost with big ideas. Zukić's battle against betting shops had that electoral strength to win. SDA, unfortunately, traditionally has a different exit strategy. It is easiest for them to sacrifice an individual and marginalize him completely along with his initiative and firm stance, rather than to jeopardize the position of the entire party.

Once again, it seems, the forces of intrigue and trickery have prevailed in SDA.