Ukraine’s Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy Chairman Danylo Hetmantsev has submitted a draft law proposing a transparent competition process for the appointment of the new Head of gambling regulator PlayCity.
According to Hetmantsev, the selection process should involve the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and international experts.
The proposal follows the resignation of Gennady Novikov from the position. There have been no public allegations of corruption against Novikov.
Announcing his departure on social media, he said: "I'm leaving my position with the feeling that we've laid the right foundation. And I'm also making this decision in good faith – what I believe is right for the institute, the team and the state."
He later revealed his decision was made in connection with the change in the leadership of the Ministry of Digital Affairs.
Alongside Novikov’s resignation, PlayCity underwent another change in oversight. Following a recent Cabinet of Ministers decision, the regulator has been placed under the direct supervision of the Cabinet. Previously, PlayCity operated under the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
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.
Ukraine’s gambling sector is facing growing concerns over transparency, suspected illegal payment flows and potential money laundering risks.
During its first year of operation, PlayCity reported that it had blocked more than 4,100 illegal gambling websites and over 700 social media accounts linked to gambling ads
