Verkhovna Rada Deputy Chairman Mykola Tomenko (the BYT faction) has said there are attempts to legalize part of gambling business through setting up poker federations.
He believes it is not a conincidence that this game unites people with various political views, according to Tomenko’s press service.
According to Tomenko, in particular, one of the poker federations is headed by a representative of the opposition Regions Party. At the same time, the Family, Youth and Sports Ministry, under an order, not only includes poker on the list of sports recognized in Ukraine, but also proposes a corresponding program for poker development be created over four years, that proposals be made on the sport’s classification, and that methodical recommendations be developed.
“Such decisions make us think that all we have left to do is to create the rank of honored master of sports in poker,” Tomenko said.
Tomenko said that the parliament should act jointly with the government to fight games played for money to close all loopholes through which the gambling business is flourishing in Ukraine with impunity.
As reported, on September 25, 2009, the term expired for the preparation of a draft law on setting up special areas for gambling establishments.
