In a bold move to crack down on illegal gambling in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has enlisted the help of tech giants Apple and Google. The Ukrainian government has been battling a surge in illegal gambling operations across the country, with many unlicensed casinos and betting shops operating with impunity.
Zelenskiy, a former comedian turned politician, has made tackling corruption a top priority since taking office in 2019. In a recent address to the nation, he announced a partnership with Apple and Google to remove all illegal gambling apps from their respective app stores.
“Gambling addiction is a serious problem in Ukraine and it is our duty to protect our citizens from the dangers of unregulated gambling,” Zelenskiy said. “By working with Apple and Google, we can ensure that illegal gambling apps are no longer accessible to the people of Ukraine.”
The move comes after a series of high-profile raids on illegal gambling establishments in major cities such as Kyiv and Lviv. The raids uncovered a network of underground casinos and betting shops that were operating without the necessary licenses.
According to government officials, the crackdown on illegal gambling is part of a larger effort to clean up the country’s image and attract foreign investment. Ukraine has struggled with corruption and organized crime for decades, and Zelenskiy has vowed to root out these illegal activities once and for all.
The partnership with Apple and Google is seen as a major step forward in this effort, as the two tech giants have the power to remove apps from their app stores with just a few clicks. The move is expected to disrupt the operations of many illegal gambling operators and make it much harder for them to reach potential customers.
In addition to cracking down on illegal gambling, Zelenskiy has also vowed to introduce new regulations to legalize and regulate the gambling industry in Ukraine. The government is currently working on a new gambling law that would establish a framework for licensing and regulating casinos, betting shops, and online gambling platforms.
While the move has been met with some criticism from industry insiders who fear it may hurt legitimate businesses, many Ukrainians see it as a step in the right direction. With the help of Apple and Google, President Zelenskiy is taking a stand against illegal gambling and sending a strong message to those who seek to exploit vulnerable individuals for profit.