The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Cyprus has strongly refuted allegations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had acquired a casino in Kyrenia. In an official statement, the embassy characterized these reports as “another lie” intended to discredit Ukraine and its leadership and to create diplomatic friction between Kyiv and Nicosia.

Ukraine Blamed Russian Hybrid Warfare

Rumors have been circulating that President Zelensky is the new owner of the Vuni Palace Casino and Hotel, a prominent establishment in Kyrenia, Cyprus. The embassy decisively denied these claims, asserting that “Russian propaganda is spreading a false story” and emphasizing the absence of any credible evidence to support these allegations.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed the stance of the Ukrainian embassy, remarking that no evidence has surfaced to corroborate the claims regarding Zelensky’s involvement in the casino purchase. These two supporting claims should be enough to refute the accusations, especially considering the initial report regarding the alleged casino purchase did not contain concrete evidence.

This false information is yet another lie aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its leadership in the eyes of the world community.

Embassy of Ukraine

The embassy also underscored that the spread of this false information likely aimed to strain diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Cyprus. While the embassy did not have any direct evidence of Russian involvement, misinformation campaigns against Ukraine have been increasingly common. They urged the public and media professionals to rely on credible sources and remain alert against “manipulation and propaganda.” 

The Original Report Was Based on a Fake Website

The contentious report originated from the Turkish website OdaTV and was then picked up by various pro-Kremlin social media outlets. The article alleged that while Western nations were supplying Ukraine with financial and military support, Zelensky had diverted his focus to the casino industry, neglecting the needs of his country to pursue personal pleasures. 

OdaTV claimed that a company named “Film Heritage Inc.,” registered in Belize and supposedly owned by Zelensky acquired the Vuni Palace Casino Hotel in early May 2024. However, a closer investigation revealed that the property’s supposed website containing this information was fake. The casino hotel’s genuine webpage does not mention this deal, and its owners confirmed they have not sold the property.

While Vuni Palace Casino Hotel has reportedly stopped accepting reservations as of 27 May, according to Booking.com, the mounting evidence against OdaTV’s claims means the rumor is almost certainly false. This case highlights the need for proper media hygiene, especially considering the ongoing media misinformation campaign surrounding the Ukraine crisis.

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A Cole County judge, Judge Daniel Green, dismissed a lawsuit filed by Torch Electronics, a major distributor of unregulated slot machines, just one day before it was set to go to trial. 

Mixed Reactions to Torch Electronics’ Lawsuit Dismissal

The case, filed in 2021 by Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil Company, aimed to establish the legality of their machines, which they claimed were designed for amusement purposes despite offering cash prizes. Torch argued that its machines were being unfairly targeted by the state. However, the state contended that the company was attempting to shield itself from prosecution.

Judge Green’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit has sparked mixed reactions. Torch attorney Charles Hatfield expressed disappointment, announcing the company’s intention to appeal the ruling, reported The Missouri Independent. On the other side, Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association, which represents the state’s regulated riverboat casinos, voiced concerns about the proliferation of unregulated machines. Winter argued that the decision allows these machines to continue operating, impacting individuals who may struggle with gambling problems.

The lawsuit had broader political implications, with attorneys for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey withdrawing from the case earlier due to alleged conflicts of interest related to campaign contributions from political action committees linked to Torch’s lobbyist, former Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley.

Judge’s Ruling Leaves Missouri’s Unregulated Gambling Industry Hanging

Bailey’s ambiguous stance on unregulated gambling in the state sparked controversy, with rising complaints about illegal gambling machines. Bailey cited the complexity of the problem, while lobbying efforts from pro-gambling groups continued to hinder progress. The lack of political will and vague legislation have allowed illegal slot machines to proliferate, leading to over 170 complaints to the state regulator in 2023. 

Attorney Scott Pool, representing the state, welcomed the judge’s decision, asserting that such matters should be resolved through criminal cases rather than civil lawsuits. Pool emphasized that the state’s law enforcement agencies, including the Highway Patrol, would continue to investigate complaints and seize machines suspected of illegal gambling activities. Whether local prosecutors choose to file criminal charges remains at their discretion.

While the case was seen as an opportunity to shed light on the unregulated gaming industry’s spread throughout Missouri, Judge Green’s ruling has left the legal status of these machines in limbo. The dismissal allows Torch Electronics and similar companies more time to install additional machines in various establishments while the legal battle continues in the appellate courts.

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The Central London County Court has dismissed the case of a millionaire who claimed that a sportsbook exacerbated his problem gambling and caused him to lose a lot of money. The millionaire’s request to have his money back was turned down.

The man in question is Scott O’Brien, a rich British entrepreneur. In his case, O’Brien described himself as a problem gambler experiencing long-term gambling addiction.

O’Brien Claims Problem Gambling Almost Drove Him to Suicide

O’Brien slammed the sports betting operator Star Sports, which, according to the plaintiff, failed to protect him from his addiction. The millionaire said that the sportsbook staff surely knew that he was a problem gambler. Yet, the operator allowed him to lose thousands of British pounds without intervening.

O’Brien said that he has lost almost $125,000 (converted to USD) to playing with Star Sports, which, he says, is a clear violation of the company’s social responsibility code provisions. The millionaire noted that he doesn’t even like gambling but cannot control his behavior.

The plaintiff added that his problem gambling started in 2012, soon after he sold his paper-recycling business.

O’Brien blamed Gemma Mehmet, a member of the Star Sports staff, for not banning him. The millionaire said that Mehmet knew of his condition but didn’t do anything about it. He had asked the worker to not tell his ex-wife about his condition and had also asked to be banned from gambling.

Continuing with his claims, O’Brien said that he told Ms. Mehmet that he had tried to take his own life because of gambling. Because of that, he was even forced to spend 10 months in rehabilitation.

Star Sports Sees Things Differently

However, Star Sports’ lawyer, Christopher Gillespie paints a different picture of what happened. According to him, O’Brien’s claim that he told Mehmet about his problem is untrue. Furthermore, the company had no reason to suspect O’Brien of being a problem player.

Gillespie said that O’Brien was always dressed well, had a driver and moved in wealthy social circles. According to the lawyer, the plaintiff always portrayed himself as a successful businessman. In addition, the alleged problem gambler could have always used the self-exclusion tools available to him to exclude himself from playing with Star Sports.

The lawyer also noted that O’Brien didn’t seem to be that problematic of a player. He would visit the sportsbook around 17 times in six months, which did not indicate addictive behavior. Last but not least, the plaintiff was actually winning against the bookmaker until his final wager. Gillespie noted that this is somewhat suspicious.

Judge Heather Baucher evaluated both sides’ claims and ruled in favor of Star Sports. She concluded that O’Brien was not, in fact, a problem gambler and lied about telling Mehmet about his condition.

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