Ukrainian parliament votes to end gambling ban

Ukraine’s parliament has moved forward with a bill to end the country’s ban on gambling as a measure to improve struggling state finances.

The bill now awaits the signature of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to be passed into law.

The legislation provides for the creation of a regulatory agency that will issue licenses to applicant companies. The minimum gambling age is set at 21 years old.

According to a Reuters report, the government anticipates that relevant license fees and taxes will ultimately contribute about US$150 million annually to state coffers.

According to previous reporting the legislation will allow both online and land-based casinos; online and land-based sports betting; online poker; slot machine halls; totalisator and lottery.

Casinos will be restricted to five-star hotels, or to special gambling zones designated by the government.

WGI

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