Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law that radically changes the rules of the game for the gambling market. The main innovations include the liquidation of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAL), a ban on gambling advertising, and modernization of the industry's oversight tools.
Main provisions of the law
As reported by Danylo Hetmantsev, the head of the parliamentary committee on finance, taxes and customs policy, the law provides for:
- Liquidation of KRAL : its functions will be distributed between the relevant ministry and a new body without collegial status.
- Prohibition of gambling advertising : exceptions are made only for a limited list of permitted methods, as well as sponsorship in the field of sports.
- Controlled play : a new mechanism for supervising the activities of operators has been introduced instead of the usual inspections.
- Combating gambling addiction : requirements for organizers have been strengthened, new grounds for license revocation have been added, and illegal websites have been blocked.
- Mandatory cashless payments : all transactions must now go through banks.
- New rules for state lotteries : requirements similar to those for gambling operators have been introduced, including transparency of ownership structure and impeccable business reputation.
These changes will affect not only gambling operators, but also participants in state lotteries. The law also obliges market entities to resume reporting even during martial law.
A key innovation is the fight against gambling addiction, which involves stricter control over the activities of operators. At the same time, the ban on advertising may limit the popularization of gambling among young people.
The new law is a step towards transparency that should reduce abuse in the gambling industry and ensure the protection of the interests of both players and the state.
