The Finance Ministry of Ukraine has suggested an expansion of locations where gambling would be permitted.

Interfax-Ukraine reports that a draft bill created by the ministry and posted on its website would allow casino gaming in entertainment complexes, four- and five-star hotels with a minimum 100 rooms, ships registered in Ukraine and non-residential buildings.

Casinos would also be permitted in Crimea with the exception of Sevastopol, as well as in resorts in Bukovel, Truskavets, Morshyn, Mykcheve and Slavske in the Carpathians.

The new bill is in sharp contrast to the original plan, which would allow casinos only in four- and five-star hotels, plus resorts in Crimea.

Not permitted under the new proposal are bookmaking, virtual casinos, games via the television or radio, and gaming machine-only venues. Only roulette, national lotteries, and games using cards and dice are allowed.

Casinos should have at least 10 tables and employ a minimum of 50 people. An operator’s license would cost UAH40 million, about US$5 million, according to Interfax-Ukraine. There is no period of validity attached to a license.

The statutory fund of a casino operator cannot be less than the total cost of the license plus gaming equipment. An operator’s own capital cannot be less than UAH10 million in each reporting period.

Operators would have the right to own gaming equipment, but would be required to renew that equipment within seven years of the date of its production.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.