Legalization of gambling will bring troubles, not revenues to the budget – Transcarpathian economist

Transcarpathian expert in economics expressed his opinion on the ideas of the government to legalize gambling in Ukraine and thus fill the state budget.

The Chairman of the Association of Economists of Transcarpathia Vasyl Miklovda is categorically against the legalization of gambling business in Ukraine, because such activities will not bring revenues to the budget, but may bring big troubles. He expressed this opinion in the comments to the UNN.

"Of course not! What revenues the budget are we talking about? Legalization will not make our lives better. Our lives became better, when it was eliminated. It is not the way to fill the budget.I do not agree with loud statements that it will make our lives better" – the Chairman of the Association of Economists of Transcarpathia said.

Recall that in 2009, the bill banning gambling business in Ukraine was supported by 390 MPs overcoming the President’s veto. The rationale of such ban was disastrous effects of gambling business in Ukraine, including significant aggravation of the criminal situation in the country.

However, on December 11, 2015, the Cabinet of Ministers registered in the Verkhovna Rada a draft law prepared by the Ministry of Finance on the legalization of gambling. Already on December 22, 2015, the government replaced the bill by registering the amended version. According to the Minister of Finance of Ukraine N. Jaresko, the bill aims to provide social and cultural needs of citizens.