In casinos and betting agencies, some recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) rely on the collection of the month, with all that this implies for the quality of life of themselves, their families and by extension for society itself.
Some users wait for the remittance, and when they find that the money is at their disposal, they focus on gambling for the next 2-3 days.
The issue was raised before the Parliamentary Audit Committee during a discussion of the Auditor General's report with the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare audited.
An official of the Deputy Ministry stated that there is an intention and desire to cooperate with the office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, in order to receive information on the aspect of the use of the GMI especially in casinos or betting offices.
In particular, it was mentioned that there is an intention of the Deputy Ministry to cooperate with the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, in order to obtain information as to whether recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income visit casinos or play at betting agencies.
We also have relevant indications, said a ministry official, who added: We can carry out an audit through interconnections. For example, on the 15th of the month, a transfer is made to the recipients' account and on the 16th, 17th or even the 18th of the month, the number of users in casinos and bookies increases. We have a way to find the edge. However, we also need the help of the Parliament, so that we can receive information from the office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection.
Deputy Minister Klea Papaellina confirmed that there is indeed relevant information and added that the aim is to take measures to help those who use the GMI for gambling to get rid of addiction. We want, instead of indulging in gambling, to get up like other people to go to work and feel useful, he said. "When we let them enter this process without being able to intervene, on the grounds that their personal data will be affected, we are not helping them or their families," he added.
Both the chairman of the Audit Committee Zacharias Koulias and the members of Chr. Savvidis, G. Pamporidis, D. Baros, M. Nikolaou, Od. Michailidis, N. Kettiros and Chr. Christofides stressed the need to find a way to inform the Deputy Ministry, both on this issue and on others, in order to facilitate the work of the Deputy Ministry, to the extent that personal data is indeed not affected, beyond what is necessary, under the circumstances.
