UKRAINE
OLENA VODOLAZHKO REPORTS ON THE INNOVATIONS AND CHALLENGES IN REFORMING THE COUNTRY’S GAMBLING AND LOTTERY MARKETS AMID CONTINUED CONFLICT Reform still on the agenda in war-torn Ukraine T he military aggression in Ukraine has posed serious challenges to the development and regulation of the gambling and lottery markets in the country. However, at the same time, these challenges have accelerated long- overdue changes and reforms in the sector that had stalled. Establishment of a new regulator
Despite numerous criticisms from certain political factions and segments of the public, the dissolved Commission was the first regulatory body in Ukraine’s history to effectively implement the initial stage of gambling market legalization. And it did that in an incredibly short period of time. In less than six months, it established from scratch all the necessary preconditions to enable operators to obtain licenses and operate legally within Ukraine. Naturally, as with any process starting with a blank sheet of paper, the initial stage of market legalization contained its share of mistakes. Nonetheless, during nearly five years of the Commission’s existence – three of which took place
Amendments to the gambling legislation introduce significant changes in the regulation of the gambling and lottery sector starting from April 1, 2025. First and foremost, the Gambling and Lottery Regulation Commission has been dissolved, and a new regulator has been established – the State Agency “PLAYCITY.”
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IMGL MAGAZINE | JUNE 2025
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