Armenian Government initiative to relocate casinos to various Armenian cities was not publicized and as a rule, society in such cases is laid aside. Richard Giragosian, the Director of Armenian Center for National and International Studies, told the journalists today, July 31.

He advised the President Serzh Sargsyan to promote chess instead of gambling, outlining it will positively affect national culture.

“Church should also speak out on the matter, as this is a moral and cultural issue. Many politicians are gambling at the cost of state budget. The President should take this into account and pay more attention to chess as he likes it, not considering the opinion of those preferring gambling,” Giragosian concluded.