written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
28 Jan 2021
Journalist, Editorial Department
According to reports from several reputable Ukrainian media outlets, a large gambling establishment is set to open soon in Kyiv, covering an area of 1,000 square meters. The venue will include a major poker club, gaming machine halls, and VIP rooms, all located within the Kyiv House of Trade Unions.
Local journalists indicate that these gambling facilities will occupy a significant space. Preliminary information suggests that the tenants have already finalized all plans and details for the project, signing a 10-year lease agreement with the building's owners.
A person identifying himself as the "manager" stated that access to the poker club will be restricted, prohibiting minors and individuals of questionable character from entering. He also confirmed that the building will feature separate private areas for VIP clients, who will be served by dedicated staff.
Representatives of the upcoming gambling venue indicated that all bets, both in poker and in the slot machine halls, will be accepted exclusively in cash, with no electronic transactions allowed.
However, Grigory Osovoy, chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, and Sergey Yefimenko, president of the All-Ukrainian Federation of Sports Poker, have denied claims that the new club intends to accept cash bets. Additionally, Osovoy acknowledged that obtaining permission to open such a gambling establishment in a prestigious area of Kyiv was made possible by a "shift in the political landscape."
It is also worth noting that in 2018, the same building was slated to house a KFC fast-food outlet, but the project was scrapped due to backlash from activists. Public organizations are hopeful that they can similarly halt the opening of the gambling venue by pursuing legal action, citing the illegality of the tenants' actions, which they argue violate current Ukrainian legislation.
As a reminder, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has approved funding for social programs through the sale of casino licenses.
