Ukraine’s ban on gambling is to finally be overturned by new legislation to be presented to the country’s parliament.
A new draft law permitting bookmakers, lotteries and casinos was approved by Ukraine’s cabinet of ministers on December 10. This will replace the blanket ban on gambling that has been in place since 2009.
According to law firm Sayenko Kharenko, under the proposed law, bookmaking will be permitted in licensed betting shops located in non-residential premises. A separate online bookmaking licence will be available to land-based operators with at least 100 betting shops.
Casinos, meanwhile, will be allowed in four and five-star hotels and in controlled areas of international airports.
A new gambling authority – the National Gambling Service – will also be created and will come under the control of the Minister of Finance and the State Fiscal Service.
