Ukraine moves to restrict gambling
Ukraine's parliament has passed a law temporarily prohibiting gambling until all casinos and slot machines are moved to a government-selected legal gambling zone.
Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to approve the bill. They said gambling in this economically struggling ex-Soviet republic has reached the scale of an epidemic. They also said that most casinos evade taxes.
The law prohibits gambling and imposes fines and other penalties on those who run casinos and those who are caught gambling. The ban is expected to last several months, until a new law sets up a government-controlled zone for gambling. It will likely be located in the southern Crimea peninsula.
The bill will come into force after President Viktor Yushchenko signs it.
© 2009 AP