Nevada in Ukraine?

There's one really weird thing that is on every corner in Odessa- Nevada's!
There are these small casinos that have bright lights at the entrance, and somehow they are ALL called Nevada.

Most of this winter, they have been closed. And I'm really not sure how packed they get in the summer either. I haven't really heard from anyone that the Ukrainian national pastime is gambling; so I really don't know why there are so many of them!

Perhaps, Arun's theory is right- they're a front for money-laundering!

Arun and I did walk into a casino in Yalta during our visit. It was attached to our hotel, and was STARK empty! The dealers just stared at us intently, hoping we would sit down at their table; but we had just gone in to look.

I did a bit of research on the regulations of gambling in Ukraine, and they are rather interesting as well:

• Apparently, there are strict restrictions about advertising gambling. No advertising is permitted on radio, television, billboards, cars, or magazines/periodicals. ($50,000 penalty!) Therefore, the only advertisement they DO have are the bright lights at the entrance. At least THAT is explained!

• Ukraine is also trying to control the number of casinos (and prevent money laundering.) Thus there is a huge barrier to entry- a registration fee of 1 million Euros.

• There are many Ukrainians who are proponents of prohibiting gambling all together. In fact, there are a few bills that are trying to accomplish just that.

• Online gambling regulations are being hotly debated. Many politicians want stricter controls, and others are trying to do away with it altogether!