Ukraine to feature gambling machines only at hotels

The president of Ukraine has revealed that gambling machines in the country will only be available at 5-star hotels.

Ukraine.- The president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has been very vocal about his support to the casino industry. He revealed during a press conference this weekend that gambling machines in Ukraine will only be available in 5-star hotels.

Zelensky backed the bill that was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers last month, which allows gambling at hotels. It also establishes the approval with the use of software that meets international standards. The president said that more regulation will be in place in the near future, as this is only the first stage of the legalised market in Ukraine.

“These are gambling machines, expensive slot machines, which cost €15k… If we talk about this bill, then I am very much following the whole process. We will reduce the number of people who spend all their money in them,” he said.

Zelensky explained that in order to apply for a gambling licence, hotels will need to feature at least 200 rooms in Kiev. Hotels in other locations will need 150 rooms. “Because we know the market and we have 5-star hotels, but they are very small, we want hotels built,” he said. “For example, if there is a small boutique hotel in a particular city, we will give them a licence, which should cost a little more but could also be more profitable for the hotel to finish the necessary rooms.”

The president also said that there will be a quota of licences for each city. “All these funds will go to sports, medicine, education. The Cabinet will oversee this process. For example, we need money this year for sports – playgrounds, swimming pools in schools. So let’s give all the money this year for licences only to sports,” Zelensky said.