Ukraine’s Finance Ministry is considering allowing gambling in specially designated gambling zones. The proposal for these gambling zones is a part of a draft law that has been posted on the Finance Ministry’s website in order to promote discussion of the potential policy.
In addition to the proposal of particular gambling zones, the draft law also proposes the introduction of a state lottery throughout Ukraine.
The draft law states that special gambling zones should be permitted in the Crimea (with the exception of Sevastopol), resorts such as Bukovel, Truskavets, Morshyn, Mukachevo, and the village of Slavske, within four-star hotels that contain at least 100 rooms, on the properties of cultural and entertainment establishments ships, and nonresidential premises.
If a location meets this first requirement, a casino with a gambling hall with 500 square meters of space can be placed on it. However, bookmaking and electronic and virtual casinos would still not be permitted under the new draft law.
The draft law grants all decisions regarding the issuance of casino licenses to the Finance Ministry. License fees would vary depending on the type and size of casino that would be developed; UAH 1,000 for the organization of gambling, UAH 40 million for state video lotteries, bingos, and other types of lotteries, and UAH 540 million for gambling in casinos. Licenses would be issued for a period of seven years.
If the draft law is accepted and placed into effect, it would overturn the decision by Ukraine’s parliament that banned gambling operations in 2009.
