Ukrainians protest after government bans gambling
Posted by Gavin Smith on 28 May 2009 at 10:05
More than 2,000 people took to the streets in Ukraine after politicians drafted a law which will ban gambling in the country for several months.
Onlinecasinoreports said both ruling and opposition officials drew up the rule ahead of new legislation which will lay down the rules for a government controlled area for gambling close to the Black Sea.
The ban was pushed through after nine people died last week in a fire at a gambling hall in the country.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko had argued gaming salons were "demoralizing" young people in the Ukraine, according to the site.
Politicians have also pointed out that the government currently only receives a tiny proportion in tax from Ukraine's gambling market.
The protesters, mainly made up of operators and their employees, gathered outside the offices of the president after the ban was drawn up.
In the Ukraine about 200,000 people are employed by the gaming industry, and could be out of work until the new laws allow the gambling enclave by the Black Sea.
