The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported the bill on the legalization of the gambling business in the first reading. 260 deputies voted for the adoption of the law out of 331 registered at the meeting.

The law provides for the legalization and legislative regulation of gambling in Ukraine. It affects land-based andonline casinos, as well as bookmakers and lotteries.

The draft law proposes to limit the placement of land-based casinos exclusively at hotels that have three to five stars. Gambling halls must be at least 500 square meters in area. Also stipulated are the norms for installing equipment in institutions. They can not be installed more than 40 thousand machines.

Initially, the bill contained a clause on raising the age of players from 18 to 21, but this amendment was rejected in the first reading. However, the law stipulates the rules for identifying customers of gambling establishments and determines the amount of fines for these violations.

Oleg Marusyak, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Organization and Taxation of the Gambling Business of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, noted that the maintenance of gambling establishments without a license will be criminalized. He suggested that the adoption of the law would help collect from 2.5 to 4 billion hryvnia in taxes in the first year.

Previously, the Prime Minister of Ukraineordered on inspections of gambling establishments operating under the guise of loto markets. After law enforcement raids in Ukrainian cities, the authorities reported that 5,300 illegal gambling establishments were shut down.