In neither Russia nor Ukraine has the door been slammed tight on existing gambling venues. The ban imposed by the government in Ukraine pending a decision on Russian style gambling zones has been reversed by the country’s president, who cited the loss of more than 200,000 jobs in a recession. Tomorrow Ukraine’s parliament will reconsider the matter but in the meantime the casinos and bookmakers shops have re-opened.

In Russia things are somewhat chaotic in the days leading up to the 1 July deadline for casinos outside the new gambling zones. As previously reported, some casinos closed early because money and equipment were going missing. Moscow has put in place retraining programmes and job opportunities for casino staff, but things are less certain for employees that came from or worked beyond the capital.

Further news from Russia, published in the official daily newspaper, suggests that the Ministry of Economic Development is to request that Prime Minister Putin reconsiders the gambling zone law. This last ditch attempt, overwhelmingly supported by the country’s gaming operators, has been put forward now as the designated gambling zones remain a long way from being ready to host the proposed gambling centres. (E-06.10.09)

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