Natalia Denikeieva, Deputy Minister at Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, has commented on a recent meeting with the UK Gambling Commission, highlighting discussions on gambling regulation and lessons that could support Ukraine’s ongoing reforms.
The parties are working towards deepening cooperation and signing a memorandum of understanding.
During the meeting, they discussed the challenges of reforming the gambling sector, particularly the need to strike a balance between effective oversight and excessive regulation. The discussions also focused on ensuring adequate player protection without imposing unrealistic compliance requirements on operators.
Denikeieva stressed that policy decisions must be evidence-based and that successful reform requires continuous efforts to maintain this balance.
In a LinkedIn post, she said: “That is why the UK experience is so valuable to us – not as an example of a perfect system, but as an example of a regulator that continuously evaluates the impact of its decisions and adjusts its approach in response to new challenges.”
PlayCity moves under direct government supervision as further reforms are considered
Ukraine’s gambling regulatory framework is currently undergoing significant changes.
Following a recent decision by the Cabinet of Ministers, gambling regulator PlayCity has been placed under the Cabinet’s direct supervision. Previously, the agency operated under the Ministry of Digital Transformation, which was responsible for shaping state policy while PlayCity implemented those policies through licensing, oversight and enforcement activities.
Although PlayCity now reports directly to the government, the Ministry of Digital Transformation remains involved in developing state policy and shaping the rules governing the gambling market, at least for the time being.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy backed amendments that would transfer responsibility for gambling regulation from the Ministry of Digital Transformation to the Ministry of Finance.
Growing concerns over player protection, transparency, illegal gambling and financial oversight
The proposed changes come amid increasing concerns about transparency, suspected illegal payment flows and potential money laundering risks within the gambling sector.
Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, has previously warned about possible tax evasion by gambling operators.
Authorities are also developing a long-term strategy extending to 2035 aimed at reducing gambling-related harm and strengthening regulatory oversight. Another key focus of the strategy will be tackling the illegal gambling market.
These concerns may be contributing to calls for transferring regulatory oversight to the Ministry of Finance, which could be better positioned to address compliance challenges and improve transparency across the industry.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Digital Transformation just released early findings from a national study on gambling’s social impact, based on responses from 3,164 respondents. The research shows that while most Ukrainians do not personally gamble, a large majority (75%) still view gambling as a serious national challenge.
The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution banning military personnel from gambling
