Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

The Ukrainian parliament has adopted law on a ban on the operation of gambling businesses and participating in gaming.

The law on the ban on the operation of a gambling business in Ukraine, initiated by Regions Party MP Hryhoriy Smitiukh and BYT MP Valeriy Pysarenko, was supported by 340 out of the 442 MPs registered for voting in the session hall.

The law comes into effect from the moment it is published and is in effect until a special law foreseeing the right to run gambling business in specially created zones is approved.

The issue of licenses for the organization of gambling in Ukraine will stop when the law comes into effect. According to the law, licenses issued to economic entities before the law came into effect are cancelled.

The law foresees a fine of 8,000 minimum wages with confiscation of gambling equipment for violations of the law. Revenues from gambling games would be sent to the budget.

According to the document, lotteries, billiards, bowling and other games that does not foresee prizes are not considered gambling.

The law instructs the Ukrainian cabinet to draw up within three months a special law on the gambling business in Ukraine and special territories where gambling activities would be permitted.