Ukraine to Name PlayCity as New Gambling Regulator
Ukraine is set to establish a new regulatory body to oversee the nation's gambling sector.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to Ukrainian news reports, Taras Melnychuk, Secretary of the SOP government, revealed on Telegram that Ukraine will establish a new "central executive" body to oversee gambling and lottery activities.
Melnychuk disclosed that the new agency will be called "PlayCity," taking over the responsibilities of the defunct Gambling and Lotteries Commission of Ukraine, formerly known as KRAIL.
PlayCity will be established through a collaborative effort involving the Cabinet of Ministers. It will be overseen by Mykhailo Fedorov, who currently serves as the Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology, and Minister of Digital Transformation.
While Melnychuk's Telegram post did not elaborate on the new agency's specific duties, its primary objective will be to eradicate corruption from the gambling industry.
New Agency to Have Improved Authority
The Ukrainian parliament, known as the Rada, is expected to publish a draft document outlining the creation of the new regulatory agency, with its signing set for early next week.
The Rada plans to establish a new gambling authority by April. To achieve this, the Cabinet of Ministers will expedite amendments to the Gambling Law of 2020 to strengthen state control and oversight of gambling activities.
Once the amendments are settled, the Cabinet of Ministers will decide on the organizational structure of the new regulatory body. The regulator will have the authority to set limits on gambling, including restrictions on time and individual spending limits.
The agency will also have the power to block illegal gambling websites directly and expand the criteria for license revocation.
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KRAIL’s Controversy
Ukraine's Gambling Law came into force in July 2020, repealing the nationwide prohibition on gambling that had been in effect since 2009.
The regulation established KRAIL to oversee and regulate gambling services across various sectors, including land-based casinos, gaming halls, online platforms, and lottery operations.
However, KRAIL faced instant criticism as corruption allegations surfaced against high-ranking officials following a probe into the agency's license awarding process. The controversies surrounding KRAIL led to its dissolution by President Zelenskyy in January.
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