The Ukrainian Gaming and Lottery Regulatory Authority (KRAIL) got 194 requests for licenses related to gambling in the initial three months of 2024.
KRAIL gave the green light to 152 licenses in Ukraine, including 138 for slot machines, and 3 for gambling services.
Furthermore, 9 licenses were given for gaming tables, one for an internet casino, and one for a license with roulette tables.
Two applications were not accepted because of inadequate details in the required papers, and KRAIL also decided to turn down one license request.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he would think about prohibiting the armed forces from taking part in online gambling after a Ukrainian soldier sent a petition.
The Ukrainian president unveiled the restriction plan in his nightly address to the country’s people on April 2nd.
The government is currently getting ready to “strengthen supervision over the country’s online gambling sector” to “help safeguard social interests.”
A plea from the armed forces seeks to bring public attention to the detrimental effects of wagering on the Ukrainian armed forces and Ukrainian society, such as the accumulation of financial burdens.
The soldiers are urging a prohibition on military personnel from engaging in gambling and accessing online gaming platforms, in accordance with wartime government directives.
Ukraine’s KRAIL is taking a firm stance against illicit gambling operations.
Ukraine has been actively working to combat unauthorized gambling operators for several years. In August 2023, KRAIL stated that nearly three-quarters of unlicensed operators in the nation were blocked from accessing their websites after it contacted relevant authorities.
According to KRAIL, 72.3% of websites ceased operations in Ukraine following the regulator’s intervention. This encompasses the period from January 25, 2022, to August 8, 2023.
In February, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Economic Security confiscated 700 million Ukrainian hryvnias (approximately £14.8 million/€17.3 million/$18.6 million) from an unidentified leading gambling operator for tax evasion.
However, despite KRAIL’s efforts in Ukraine, its future remains unclear. In May 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov submitted a draft law proposing to disband KRAIL and establish a new executive body in its place.
Fedorov emphasized the challenges the regulator encountered in issuing gambling licenses in a timely fashion.
KRAIL is a collective body comprising a chairman and six members. Its meetings, including those concerning license applications, are only valid if five members are present.
The Ukrainian conflict has significantly impacted the operations of KRAIL. Some of their personnel were compelled to enlist, making it challenging to convene meetings and leading to delays in license approvals.
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