Ukraine Exiles Casino Gambling to the Black Sea

The complete prohibition against any gaming will be in effect for at least several months, until regulations are established for the new casino tourist spot.

The Ukrainian legislature Friday banned all casino gambling and slot machine operation, pending a relocation of all gaming activities to the Crimean peninsula on the Black Sea. The complete prohibition against any gaming will be in effect for at least several months, until regulations are established for the new casino tourist spot.

The limitation of casinos to the Crimea was portrayed as establishing a "Ukrainian Las Vegas," according to parliament member Valery Pysarenko. But observers note the removal of gambling to a locale far away from Ukraine's capital and largest city, Kiev.

The bipartisan bill was hailed as a measure against a "gambling epidemic" spreading among Ukraine's youth by Psyarenko. "Today marks a big victory for all Ukrainians."

The lawmaker also asserted the concentration of gaming operators to the one area will stem the growing problem of tax evasion in the industry. He said the new restrictions will make regulation easier and more efficient.

Authorities said those caught gambling during the ban could face prison sentences. Players as well as operators risk both heavy fines and jail time.

Asked about the potential effectiveness of the gambling exile to the Crimea, an anonymous official recalled words from Tennyson's poem about the Crimean War, "The Charge of the Light Brigade" : "Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die."