Casino Ban Sparks Protests In Ukraine

Casino workers protest over plans to shut down gaming venues in Ukraine.

Casino employees took to the streets of Kiev yesterday (May 18th) to protest against the Ukrainian government's surprise move to shut down gambling venues.

Authorities in the country are currently debating whether to pass a bill which would ban all casinos, slot machine parlours and online gambling operators, with prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko already backing the plan.

Supporters of the legislation claim it would protect struggling citizens from losing more money in the midst of a recession, but casino workers are outraged by the prospect of becoming suddenly unemployed.

"We do need better regulation, but this is not the way to do it. In one moment, more than 200,000 people could lose their jobs," Grigory Trypulsky, vice president of the Ukrainian Association of Gambling Operators, told the Financial Times.

Relaxed gaming laws have been in operation for several years in Ukraine, allowing the country's casino industry to grow rapidly.

Over 2,000 people were involved in the protest outside the presidential office in Kiev yesterday, while another demonstration took place in the city of Donetsk.