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Ukraine’s economics minister hails idea of legalized gambling

KIEV, July 4. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Economic Development and Trade Minister Aivars Abromavicius has nothing against gambling businesses, provided they are legal and help raise money for the state treasury.

"Personally, I am for gambling, because it spells more budget money. In the country there still is an illegal gambling industry and the law enforcers have been unable to do anything about that. I am for legalizing it," Abromavicius told a news briefing on Friday.

He remarked, though, that gambling outlets should be allowed to open not in bedroom communities, but inside five-star hotels, where visiting tourists, and not locals, will be their target clientele.

Earlier, Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said he was for legalizing gambling businesses in order to tap an extra source of funding for Ukraine’s culture.