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The act required absolute majority (at least 46 votes) to get passed again after the veto from the National Council. It was confirmed by 48 deputies, with 19 MPs voting against.

The tax, a part of the fiscal consolidation measures listed in the Stability Programme, is expected to bring EUR 7.3m in revenues this year and an additional EUR 17m in 2014.

Lottery tickets which are periodically issued by associations or non-profit humanitarian organisations based in Slovenia for financing of their principal activities will be exempt.

The tax is to be paid by lottery operator Loterija Slovenije and sports lottery Športna loterija. They have opposed the tax saying it will represent a large burden on their financial operations.

Both operators have said that they will be forced to transfer the tax burden on customers, who they believe will consequently resort to playing lottery abroad.

Humanitarian and sport organisations and organisations for the disabled, which are partially financed from lottery revenue, have also pointed to the negative consequences of the tax on their operation.

The tax is opposed by the opposition People's Party (SLS), Democrats (SDS) and New Slovenia (NSi) for similar reasons.

Vetoing the act yesterday, the national councillors argued that the tax would harm humanitarian and sports organisations which are partly funded from lottery revenue.