There are about 150 casinos registered in the Czech Republic. They are obligated by law to donate some of their profits to charity. They do so through a foundation. It is well known some of the money goes to organisations represented by political leaders. It is also not a secret some of the money goes to the Catholic Church.
The daily Právo wrote last week that a foundation established by the Happy Day casino network donated more than CZK 20 million to the church between 2000 and 2007. Should the church accept money from gambling?
From time to time politicians regulating casinos more. Last week, the new Christian Democratic leader Cyril Svoboda criticised gambling which “can lead to criminal behaviour, family and relationship breakdowns”.
It was his party that received the support of Cardinal Miloslav Vlk shortly before the EU elections. The Catholic Church leader called on Czechs not to vote for the politicians who broke up the centre-right coalition government. The KDU-ČSL supported the government in the no-confidence vote. Who and what is the church in support of? And should it be involved in the election campaign?
