Slovenia: Jan Jones expects change of gaming legislation this year

The changes, unveiled by the Finance Ministry in July, allow foreign companies to hold up to 49% in Slovenian gaming ventures and progressively lower taxes on revenues: revenues up to 110 million euros will be subject to a 32% taxation rate, which will drop to 14% for 110 million- 150 million euros and to 8% for revenues in excess of 150 million euros.

Jones said after meeting mayors of the municipalities in the region that she was pleased with the talks, as they gave her more insight into the wishes, proposals and questions of her partners, local communities and local economy. She added that the project could present an important part of the development of the region and the country, however, careful planning and execution was necessary.

This was Jones' second visit to Slovenia and she is expected to return in November, when she would try to present the location of the resort and explain the project in more detail.

The mayors, however, said that they were still not sufficiently acquainted with the project. "I don't have a clue what it is like", Ales Bucik, the mayor of the Rence-Vogrsko municipality said. He said that the local communities lacked information and he is also skeptical of the planned legislative changes.

"The changes have to be passed in parliament. I think that they will then be rejected by the upper chamber. It makes no sense to discuss the realization of the project in Nova Gorica until phase one is completed," he said. Jones held talks with Mirko Brulc, the mayor of the border town of Nova Gorica, who said he was pleased with the answers he got.

Brulc said that the area around Ajsevica, some two kilometers east of the town, was the only possible location for the resort in his municipality.