A constitutional referendum was held in Liechtenstein on 29 January 2023. Voters voted on a proposal to ban casinos, with 73% voting against the proposal. If a ban had been approved, casinos in Liechtenstein would have been closed and banned by 2028. [1]
Gambling was prohibited in Liechtenstein until 2010, when it was legalised. [2] As of 2023 [update] , there are six casinos in the country, which doubled from three in 2019. [2] The national casino association has conceded that it "sees no economic basis for so many casinos in the future". [3] The industry generated CHF 28 million in gambling levies in 2022, which amounted to 3% of tax revenue in the year. [2]
The group IG VolksMeinung collected more than 2,000 signatures in favour of a ban, from the population of 38,000. The Landtag of Liechtenstein voted against the ban, so it therefore had to be decided by referendum. [4]
Choice | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
For | 3,779 | 26.68 | |
Against | 10,383 | 73.32 | |
Total | 14,162 | 100.00 | |
Valid votes | 14,162 | 99.25 | |
Invalid votes | 88 | 0.62 | |
Blank votes | 19 | 0.13 | |
Total votes | 14,269 | 100.00 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 20,720 | 68.87 | |
Source: Abstimmungen |
Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein, is a German-speaking and doubly landlocked microstate located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. It is the sixth smallest nation worldwide. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein.
Hans-Adam II is the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein, since 1989. He is the son of Prince Franz Joseph II and his wife, Countess Georgina von Wilczek. He also bears the titles Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, and Count of Rietberg. Under his reign, a 2003 constitutional referendum expanded the powers of the Prince of Liechtenstein. In 2004, Hans-Adam transferred day-to-day governmental duties to his eldest son Hereditary Prince Alois as regent, like his father had granted him in 1984 to prepare him for the role.
Liechtenstein has recognized same-sex registered partnerships since 1 September 2011 following approval by voters in a referendum.
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