What Happened in the Gambling Industry in a Week? News From Ukraine, Lithuania, Chile and the USA

A new land-based casino in Ukraine. The limitations of the draft law banning advertising of gambling in Lithuania. US state that may launch casinos at racetracks and licenses for gambling activities that may be issued in Chile. Read about the latest news from the world of gambling in the weekly digest from UGW!

The bill on taxation of gambling business in Ukraine will remain without consideration until the end of May

The Verkhovna Rada will postpone the consideration of five bills No.2713, No.2713-1, No.2713-2, No.2713-3, No.2713-4 that amend the Tax Code in terms of taxation of gambling activities till June.

According to the online edition of Login Casino, before the beginning of the last plenary week, the draft laws were planned to be submitted for consideration by the MPs on May 21. On May 17, they were included in the agenda for May 19, but on the scheduled day, during the meeting, parliamentarians postponed the procedure. As a result, the bills were not admitted to voting on May 20-21.

Since no plenary sessions are scheduled for the last week of May, MPs will be able to start considering draft laws no earlier than June 1.

Legal land-based casino opened in Lviv

On May 22, First Casino company opened a casino at Grand Hotel Lviv. The venue has 55 slot machines, three roulette tables and nine card tables. There is also a separate room for VIP clients.

Currently, the casino employs 120 people. Venue accepts guests 24/7.

The gambling establishment became the fourth land-based casino to start operating in Ukraine after the legalization of the gambling business. Earlier, two venues in Kyiv and one in Odesa opened their doors to visitors. The latter is also operated by First Casino.

To learn more about First Casino's plans to develop the Ukrainian gambling market, watch the episode of UGW Insider podcast featuring Stanislav Stoyackiy – Marketing Director at the company.

The Seimas of Lithuania voted for the introduction of a ban on gambling advertising

By a majority of votes, deputies of the Seimas adopted amendments to the law on gambling. The innovations should come into force on July 1, 2021, according to IGB.

According to the document, direct advertising of gambling on the Internet, on television and radio will be banned in Lithuania. Moreover, gambling cannot be promoted through promotions, discounts, gifts, etc.

Tightening of advertising requirements should help fight gambling addiction and help reduce spending on gambling among local residents.

At the same time, the National Gambling Association said that the ban on advertising would stimulate the development of shadow business, as well as prevent new operators from entering the Lithuanian market.

Chile resumes accepting applications for gambling licenses

On May 24, Chilean gambling regulator Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego began accepting applications for licenses giving the right to open casinos again.

In total, the regulatory body plans to issue 12 licensing documents. Both existing operators and new companies can participate in the competition.

Earlier, the acceptance of applications for the issuance of casino licenses was suspended in 2020 due to a difficult epidemiological situation.

Nebraska passes racetrack casino bill

In the US state of Nebraska, a single-chamber legislative assembly passed a bill allowing the opening of casinos at racetracks and legalizing sports betting. For the document to take effect, the governor must sign it.

The approved bill will make it possible to open casinos at six operating racetracks in Nebraska. Gambling establishments will be allowed to install slot machines and gambling tables. It will also be allowed to accept bets on sports events, with the exception of matches involving the local colleges.

Casinos will be regulated by the Gambling Commission that is responsible for the development of rules for the acceptance of bets and the issuance of licenses to operators.

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