Ukraine is on the offensive once again with the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s General Office launching a new investigation into online gambling platforms that have been operating illegally and are tied to Russia.

At the onset of the 2022 war, which Russia declared on its neighbor, Ukraine sought to stem the tide of cash outflow that could be fueling the aggressor’s warm machine.

Gambling sites with ties to the Russian Federation were an immediate target of Ukrainian efforts to root out illegal gambling in the country, and the latest identified but unnamed websites are among those.

Gambling Is Important for Ukraine’s National Security

Parimatch, a prominent platform, was mistakenly caught in the crossfire. Luckily, Parimatch was removed from the Presidential list of banned gambling companies later on. The new allegations levelled against Russian-based individuals and illegal platforms though will stay.

Ukraine has not shied away from levelling accusations against individual operators, and most recently in February, the country went after Cosmolot, accusing the platform of tax evasion.

The Office also outlined some of the steps that have already been taken to combat illegal gambling in the country with more than 2,500 illegal gambling sites blocked since last year, as reported previously. Right now, 450 criminal offenses are related to illegal gambling as well.

Gambling Encroaching on Military Capabilities

The country is also going after individuals whom it suspects of wrongdoing related to illegal gambling. Meanwhile, the military has had its fair share of problems with gambling and gambling-related harm.

Apart from undermining the country’s war-waging capabilities, gambling within the army has also taken a toll on the mental health of soldiers.

The Verkhovna Rada has now issued a ban on gambling in the army, with lawmakers worried about the problem as well and how it might reflect on the battlefield. Efforts to curb the spreading of illegal and irresponsible gambling have been well underway.

In the meantime, the country has also benefited from the regulated gambling sector, with online gambling outpacing expectations and generating a steady stream of tax revenue for the state coffers.

All of this is happening at a time of intensified interest in the gambling market in Ukraine. So much so that the country approved 150 new licenses in early April. Yet, there have been some headwinds as well, including the proposed dissolution of the state regulator, KRAIL, which has been deemed unfit to carry out its duties.

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The New York Post reported, however, that sources close to the bidding process say that the company’s business ties to Russia have complicated the bid. 

Yale Report Card Slams Hard Rock for Ignoring Calls to Cease Russia Operations

Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order last year prohibiting any state entity from contracting with a company doing business in Russia due to President Vladimir Putin’s military invasion of Ukraine. The order aims to prevent New York’s activities from supporting Russia’s unjustified war and the killing of innocent Ukrainians.

Hard Rock has had two franchise restaurants in Russia, one in Moscow and the other in St. Petersburg. However, a company spokesman said that the issue is now irrelevant since they do not own or operate any property in Russia. The independently owned Hard Rock Cafe in Moscow has already closed, and the operator of the Hard Rock Cafe in St. Petersburg agreed to close operations.

Despite this, Yale University’s School of Management gave Hard Rock an “F” grade for continuing to do business in Russia. The report card identified firms that have severed business ties with Russia and exposed other firms still doing business there. The report card identified Hard Rock as one of the 238 companies that persisted in conducting business as usual in Russia, despite demands to reduce or cease their activities there.

Furthermore, Hard Rock has been politically active, contributing $50,000 to Hochul’s re-election campaign and holding a fundraiser for her. The company also spent $110,000 lobbying state lawmakers on casino gaming before the executive order signing and at least $120,000 afterwards.

No Date Set for Casino Bid Despite Interest from Hard Rock and Others

Governor Hochul’s spokesperson said that affected state entities must obtain a certification from bidders as part of a solicitation for a new contract or extension of an existing contract that the business has no dealings with the Russian government, including those on the Federal sanctions list. 

Additionally, the state Gaming Commission’s Brad Maione said that no date has been set yet for a casino bid, and potential bidders, including Hard Rock, have yet to submit formal proposals.

Other gaming operators are also vying for one of three downstate casino licenses. Bally’s is proposing a casino on the Trump Organization’s public golf course at Ferry Point in The Bronx. The owners of the existing slots parlors at the Aqueduct race track in Ozone Park, Queens, and Yonkers race track, Genting/Resorts World, and MGM’s Empire City are expected to submit bids to expand their offerings to include table games.

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