The Ukrainian government has passed a law banning gambling businesses within the limits of cities, towns and villages. This recent movement has forced gamblers in the Ukraine to look elsewhere for their gambling, and at the same time may force over 200,000 employees to be laid off. The law emerged as a response to the fire in a Dnipropetrovsk game arcade on May 7, 2009 killing nine people. Gambling businesses have already suspended operations for a month after the government passed a resolution to suspend licenses.

The law is set to only come into force if it is agreed to by Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushcenko. No licenses will be issued to gambling businesses after this, and the existing permits will be cancelled. Debate is currently running through the media on whether this law is a populist law or whether it actually solves any type of problem such as gambling addiction.

Viktor Yushcenko plans to consult with further consultants on the affects of such a decision on the economy and social aspects of Ukraine. Last month, over 5,000 people from various parts of Ukraine spoke out against a hasty ban on business, signalling that gambling law is more than just an issue of gambling addiction.

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