Ukraine publishes gaming bill

ine has published a bill to legalise gambling in the country.

Local media report that the legislation, which would regulate casinos, bookmakers officers and online gaming, has been posted on the website of the Ministry of Finance.

The Ministry has proposed the creation of a National Service regulator which will organise gambling in the country and issue licences to gaming firms.

The bill dictates that Ukrainian companies with capital of over €2m, without borrowing, can apply for a licence.

The cost of a one-year land-based casino licence would sit between €300,000 and €1m, with an online casino licence costing €1.5m.

A single lottery operator would be created, with that licence issued via a tender process.

There would be restrictions on the location of bookmakers' offices, while bookies would also be able to operate online.