Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a decree on regulating online gambling. This is in line with the decision of the National Security and Defense Council and concerns the operation of online casinos.
Decree No. 234/2024 was published on the website of the Office of the President. According to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated April 20, 2024 “On Counteracting the Negative Consequences of Gambling on the Internet”, it provides for a ban on online casino advertising, the introduction of an online monitoring system, and the blocking of illegal websites.
What restrictions on gambling have been introduced in Ukraine?
According to the signed decree, the Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to:
– Develop a procedure for restricting all forms of gambling advertising using the symbols of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations.
– Prohibit registering multiple accounts for one player, and also define the continuous participation time for one account in the game per week.
– To oblige the organizer of gambling to set a limit for the player before the start of the game with the possibility of changing such a limit no more than once a month.
– Implement a state online monitoring system.
– Conduct a national information and awareness campaign on the dangers of gambling and block illegal sites that provide access to gambling.
In addition, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine must introduce a ban on military personnel from accessing gambling establishments and/or participating in online gambling during martial law.
The Security Service of Ukraine, in turn, will conduct inspections of gambling organizers within two months.
The National Bank must, within two months, approve recommendations to banks on blocking citizens' payments with credit funds to the accounts of gambling organizers for participation in gambling.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation will hold negotiations with Apple and Google within a month to ban the placement of gambling applications without an appropriate license in the Ukrainian zone in their stores.
The Ministry of Health will develop a clinical protocol for treating gaming addiction within three months.
