The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, signed a law that radically changes the rules of the game for the gambling market. The main innovations include the liquidation of the Gambling and Lotteries Regulatory Commission (KRAIL), the ban on gambling advertising, and the modernization of industry oversight tools.
The main provisions of the law
As the head of the parliamentary committee on finance, taxes and customs policy, Danylo Hetmantsev, said, the law provides for:
- Liquidation of KRAIL : its functions will be distributed between the specialized 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 sports sponsorship.
- Controlled game : a new mechanism for monitoring the activities of operators has been implemented instead of the usual checks.
- The fight against gambling addiction : requirements for organizers have been strengthened, new grounds for license cancellation have been added, and illegal websites have been blocked.
- Mandatory non-cash 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 of state lotteries. The law also obliges market entities to resume reporting even during martial law.
The key innovation is the fight against gambling addiction, which involves stricter control over the activities of operators. At the same time, banning advertising may limit the popularization of gambling among young people.
The new law is a step towards transparency that should reduce gambling abuse and ensure the protection of the interests of both players and the state.
