Scrutiny Over Gaming Commission’s Board Remuneration
In a recent House finance committee meeting, eyebrows were raised as details emerged about the remuneration of the Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission’s board members. While the commission’s executive director sought approval for funds, a representative from the auditor-general’s office highlighted a stark disparity in compensation across public bodies.
The commission’s board members receive around €800 monthly, with the chairman earning €1,000. These amounts are calculated as average monthly earnings over a year, derived from an allowance for meeting attendance. Interestingly, in the past year, the board convened only nine times, with a five-month gap void of any meetings.
In stark contrast, members of other public boards receive a modest €70 to €80 per meeting. The auditor-general’s office criticized this discrepancy, noting that the cabinet had set a general earnings regulation for public body boards before making an exception for the gaming commission in February 2017—a decision that was not made public at the time.
Amidst this controversy, an official from the cabinet acknowledged the 2017 ruling but expressed openness to revisiting it. Furthermore, it was revealed that gaming commission board members were granted social insurance akin to permanent government employees.
Defending the commission’s compensation scheme, Harris Tsangarides, its executive director, cited the rapid operationalization of the country’s first casino within a year of the commission’s establishment—despite initial lack of infrastructure and staff. Tsangarides also pointed out that only a third of the €27.6 million collected by the commission since its inception was retained, with the remainder bolstering the state treasury.
Despite the remuneration debate, Tsangarides assured that board members are committed to their roles regardless of pay. He also projected a significant increase in gaming receipts for the current year, estimating €2.5 billion, up from last year’s €1.8 billion. Additionally, he highlighted the employment opportunities provided by the casinos, which currently employ approximately 2,000 individuals.
