Ukraine Parliament Begins Gambling Reform Procedure
The Ukraine government sees a big rise in gambling over the past decade, and they have now vowed to put a stop to it. On Friday, parliament passed a Bill that will temporarily stop all gambling. That will include slot parlors and casinos.
The government has ordered that the gambling cannot proceed until the location of the casinos and slot halls are moved away from the capital. The approved area is on the Black Sea.
"The gambling addiction has turned into an epidemic," said lawmaker Valery Pysarenko, "Today marks a big victory for all Ukrainians." The lawmakers are particularly concerned that the gambling epidemic has spread to the youth.
Many of the casinos and slot parlors that are currently operating are doing so without any regulation. This has become concerning for lawmakers who estimate that over $5 billion is being wagered, of which, only a small portion is being paid to the state in taxes.
If anyone is now caught gambling, they face the possibility of being sent to prison. They also could receive fines for their gambling activity. This law is a move that parliament feels will help rid the state of the gambling problem.
The ultimate goal of the Ukraine is to set up a Las Vegas style entertainment destination in an approved area. Once that is in place, the gambling ban will be brought to a halt.
May 15, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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