(18 May 2009) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of casino owners and workers protesting and chanting (Russian) "work, work"
2. Various of protesters chanting
3. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Ilya, unemployed man:
"They are not allowing us to work. I was fired after our company was shut down. It was a gaming machines company. I have no salary but I still have to feed my family."
4. Various of protest
5. Close up of protester holding work record booklet with notice above it reading (in Ukrainian) "Not needed by the country"
6. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Tatiaya, casino worker:
"We are protesting because they want to take away our jobs. They are revoking our business licence. We pay taxes, but we are told that our work is not needed. They want to push our business into the shadows, so that we only pay bribes, and do not give money to the state budget."
7. Wide shot of demonstration
STORYLINE:
Ukraine's casino owners and workers on Monday protested against a bill to temporarily ban gambling, saying it would put tens of thousands of people out of work and calling for a gradual approach toward greater state regulation of the industry.
Gambling industry representatives have decried the bill, hastily passed by parliament on Friday, which calls for closing down all casinos and slot machines across the country for an indefinite time period until a new law moves all gambling institutions to a government-picked legal gambling zone.
Lawmakers argued the law would help fight widespread gambling addiction, especially among youths, and would force casinos to pay taxes.
The bill is now waiting for President Viktor Yushchenko's final approval.
Yushchenko has called the legislation "populist" and has indicated that it needs more work.
Anatoliy Nesterenko, head of the Ukrainian Casino Association, urged Yushchenko to veto the law, saying it would put as many as 200-thousand people out of work at a time of a devastating financial crisis.
Several hundred casino workers rallied outside Yushchenko's office on Monday demanding that their jobs be kept, chanting "Work! Work!"
Nesterenko said industry players were ready for more government regulation, including possibly moving gambling institutions to special zones, but called for a transition period that would allow already operating slot machines, casinos and their staff to adjust to the change.
Nesterenko said abruptly banning gambling and revoking government licenses would damage the country's investment climate and lead to lawsuits, including from European Union citizens who had invested in casinos in Ukraine.
Other proposals included allowing casinos to operate only after 9 pm (1800 GMT), closing down slot machines in public places such as bus stops and outdoor markets, and closing down those institutions who cater to underage gamblers.

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