The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has preliminarily approved the transfer of the gambling market regulator PlayCity from the Ministry of Digital Transformation under its direct control.
The move was reported by the head of the Verkhovna Rada’s (Parliament) Finance Committee, Danylo Hetmantsev. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko has not yet signed the decree and the decision remains uncertain.
At the same time, the Finance Committee previously approved an amendment to a draft law authored by Hetmantsev, which would transfer responsibility for shaping gambling sector policy to the Ministry of Finance.
If both measures are ultimately implemented, gambling policy would shift to the Ministry of Finance, while PlayCity itself would come under the direct authority of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Previously, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said Ministry of Finance would follow the position of Parliament.
Marchenko stated: “We will follow the Verkhovna Rada’s position. We will respond accordingly to the decision. This is a complex issue, but we will make our decision as the legislature determines.”
When asked by MPs whether the Ministry of Finance would continue implementing the State Online Monitoring System (DSOM) being developed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the minister said he was not yet able to take a position.
Ukraine’s gambling sector is facing growing concerns over transparency, suspected illegal payment flows and potential money laundering risks. The proposed transfer of the regulator can be seen as a response to these issues.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s PlayCity regulator said its new online tool has generated more than 250 reports of illegal gambling advertisements in two weeks, highlighting its enforcement efforts amid scrutiny. The operator also emphasises DSOM is now in a testing phase, with 11 operators already connected and wider rollout underway.
Speaking to local media, the Head of PlayCity, Gennady Novikov, warned that half of Ukraine’s online casino market remains illegal
