Ukraine to reveal new PlayCity state gambling regulator

Ukraine is set to announce a new state agency to oversee and regulate gambling activity, known as PlayCity. 

The entity will become the successor to the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL), which was liquidated earlier this year after Law No. 9256-d was signed off by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Early details were disclosed over the weekend, in a Telegram message from the account of Taras Melnychuck,  the cabinet’s representative in parliament. 

The information outlined that PlayCity will be a central, executive function responsible for ensuring adherence to Ukraine’s policy for gambling and lottery games.  

Melnychuk added the body will fall under the oversight of the Cabinet and the remit of Mykhailo Fedorov, the Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science, and Technology Development

Fedorov also serves as the Minister of Digital Transformation.

As the effective replacement for KRAIL, PlayCity will take on its operational activity with a team of 61 staff, the same number of employees cut from the former regulator. 

The new entity will be located in the same premises previously occupied by KRAIL.

Law No. 9256-d, which heralded the end of KRAIL, will also see the introduction of increased accountability for gambling platforms and an extensive ban on gambling advertising. 

Online advertising will be permitted, but it must not target consumers under the age of 21, while TV ads will be screened between 11 pm and 6 am. 

Limited sponsorship opportunities will be allowed in sports, only.

The focus of the sweeping legislation is designed to eradicate corruption in the gambling sector, and with it, concerns over the integrity and performance of the regulator. 

The government is launching a new agency for gambling regulation – ‘PlayCity’.

It will replace the liquidated KRAIL and will be responsible for implementing gambling and lottery policy. The Ministry of Digital Transformation will be responsible for its formation.

Current… pic.twitter.com/TsqySe24Zh

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KRAIL was mired in controversy after allegations of bribery and improper conduct by high-ranking officials.

In August 2021, Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) held KRAIL officer Yehven Hetman on charges relating to a bribe of over $90,000. He was said to have issued licenses for approved gambling venues in the Chernihiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, without following the due procedure. 

NABU uncovered a trail of large amounts exchanged for the issuing of these licenses. 

Then in December 2024, KRAIL leader Ivan Rudyi was held on suspicion of supporting the operation of a Russian-owned online casino within Ukraine. 

A probe found there was no action to revoke a license beneficially owned by Russian nationals, with the added issue of national security concerns. 

Image credit: Grok/X

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