The state agency PlayCity, created to replace the inefficient KRAIL, has officially started its work. Its main goal is to ensure transparency and control in the field of gambling and lotteries. About this reported in the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
Gennadiy Novikov, a lawyer with experience in the field of public administration, who previously held the position of deputy chief of staff of KRAIL, was appointed head of the new agency. At his previous place of work, he established the process of blocking illegal online casinos – in 2024 alone, more than 4,500 such resources were blocked.
The list of priority tasks of PlayCity includes digitalization of the process of issuing licenses, launch of a state online system for monitoring the operation of legal casinos in real time, continuing the fight against illegal sites and applications, restarting the lottery market, updating the register of persons with limited access to gambling, as well as the complete withdrawal from the market of operators with a Russian footprint.
It is expected that thanks to the reform, the state will be able to reduce budget losses, which today amount to 10 billion hryvnias every year due to the shadow gambling market. Detinization of the industry will ensure a significant increase in revenues to the budget, which can be directed to strengthening the country’s defense capabilities. At the same time, the creation of clear and transparent rules will open the Ukrainian market to international investors, which will also have a positive effect on the economy, the Ministry of Statistics emphasized.
The creation of PlayCity is part of the government’s strategy for the legalization and systemic renewal of the gambling sector. The new regulator will have wider powers and more effective control tools, unlike its predecessor.
