Mifal Hapayis - Israel National Lottery is stunned by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s comments.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday, “It would be a mistake to establish casinos in Israel. Casinos won’t bring salvation.”
The committee was discussing the Oasis Casino in Jericho. Most committee members oppose allowing Israelis to again enter the town.
Mifal Hapayis - Israel National Lottery was stunned by Sharon’s comments, which effectively bury its plans to establish legal casinos in Israel. A senior Mifal Hapayis source said yesterday, “This wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment idea dreamed up by Prime Minister’s Office director general [Avigdor] Yitzhaki. He was acting with the prime minister’s authorization. We view Sharon’s comments as very odd. We’re waiting for him to clarify his statement, and only afterwards will we make an official response.”
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on June 25, 2003