Gambling in some form is expected to be permitted in Ukraine in 2011, it has been claimed.
Ukraine followed Russia in outlawing gambling in 2009, prompting many legitimate operators to leave the country. However, a recent government crackdown on underground gambling highlighted the extent to which such activities still continue.
The government has raised the possibility of, like Russia, establishing designated gaming zones. While the country continues to deal with the economic downturn, many consider legalised gambling to be a way of injecting much-needed revenues back into the economy.
Head of Alsart Group, Lyubov Loginova, believes that the new year will see some movement on this issue. "We are sure that in 2011 gambling will be allowed to some extent," she said. "The government is the first who is interested in getting taxes as much as possible and that is why these rumours around the business being permitted are so strong. That is why the question of establishing standards of gambling in Ukraine is much discussed."
