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No Gambling In The Ukraine: People Furious!

In a surprise move, the government banned all gambling establishments in the Ukraine. The Parliament approved this ban, which covers both gambling AND gaming business throughout the country, and states that the ban shall hold until another law is passed. And what is this law? It is supposed to deal with the allowing of gaming and gambling only in specific zones in the country.

Intergame Online has this report:

Licences granted under the previous regime have effectively been cancelled, with the new law outlining heavy fines and the confiscation of equipment for those who violate the regulations. The special law creating gambling zones is expected to be drawn up within the next three months.

In light of the decision, Olympic Entertainment Group has suspended trading at its Ukrainian subsidiary’s properties and its employees have been sent on holiday without pay. The company said it was doing everything possible to open its casinos again as soon as possible, arguing that the move to suspend gambling contravenes a number of other laws.

Naturally, the move has drawn a lot of attention and protests. Businessmen involved in gambling and gaming operations, together with their employees are making moves to make their voices heard. The employees, in particular, are holding rallies to protest the move, which is basically robbing them of their jobs. Slogans such as “Don’t deprive us of work!” can be seen in these protests.

This move will not go uncontested and it may even be repealed, from what I am seeing.