Ukraine is looking to Las Vegas as a model for removing Russians from the casino industry.

Ukrainian officials are poised to expel Russian entities from their gambling sector by drawing inspiration from the methods employed by US authorities in the 1980s to eradicate the Italian mob presence in Las Vegas casinos.

Following the legalization of gambling in Ukraine, which occurred shortly before the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russian involvement has persisted as a lucrative avenue for profit-making and the acquisition of Ukrainian gamblers' personal data.

In an assertive move, the Ukrainian gambling regulator initiated license revocations in September 2022. This spring, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy authorized sanctions against more than 400 individuals and legal entities linked to Russian gambling ventures, including five Ukrainian companies in the industry.

 

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The Ukrainian government's decision to remove Russian entities from the gambling sector by using Las Vegas as a model is an interesting approach. The move seems to be motivated by concerns over Russian involvement in the industry, as well as the potential exploitation of Ukrainian gamblers' personal data.

Drawing inspiration from the methods employed by US authorities in the 1980s to remove the Italian mob from Las Vegas casinos suggests that Ukrainian officials are looking to take a strong and decisive stance against Russian influence in their gambling sector. It also indicates that they are determined to protect the integrity and security of the industry.

The legalization of gambling in Ukraine before the invasion took place in February 2022 opened up opportunities for both legal and illegal entities to enter the market. With the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, it is not surprising that Ukrainian officials are taking actions to remove Russian involvement from key sectors of their economy, including gambling.

The initiation of license revocations by the Ukrainian gambling regulator in September 2022 demonstrates the government's commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring the exclusion of Russian entities. Additionally, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's authorization of sanctions against more than 400 individuals and legal entities linked to Russian gambling ventures, including five Ukrainian companies in the industry, further emphasizes the seriousness with which Ukraine is approaching this issue.

It remains to be seen exactly how the Ukrainian government will implement their plans to remove Russians from the casino industry. However, it is clear that they are looking at the US experience in dealing with organized crime in Las Vegas as a guide.

In any case, the success of such an endeavor will depend on the effectiveness of enforcement measures, as well as ongoing vigilance from regulatory bodies. It is crucial for the Ukrainian government to ensure that the gambling sector remains free from Russian influence and that the interests of Ukrainian gamblers are protected.