The state sees bets in real time: the government launches online monitoring of the gambling business
14 January 21:24
The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a resolution paving the way for the launch of the State Online Gambling Monitoring System (DSOM), reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
For the first time, the state will be able to monitor the operations of the legal gambling business in real time — from bets to payouts to players.
This was announced by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, calling the decision the final step before the actual launch of the system.
Why does the government need this?
The Ministry of Digital Transformation explains that online monitoring should give the state a real picture of the gambling market and answer the key question — how much tax the industry should actually pay.
In the first stage, the system will record:
- bets and payouts,
- refunds,
- player balance replenishment.
According to the government’s logic, this data will allow it to move away from manual control and transition to managing the industry based on verified figures.
What will change for the gambling business
Licensed operators will have six months to technically connect to the DSOM. By the summer of 2026, the system should be fully operational and become the main tool for state control and combating the shadow segment.
PlayCity emphasizes that the system is being implemented in stages due to the complexity of the IT solution: it must process millions of transactions in real time and be protected from cyberattacks.
Stage two: what else will be controlled
An expansion of functionality is planned for 2026. The second stage of the DSOM involves:
- recording game results,
- monitoring the operation of slot machines,
- compliance with responsible gaming principles,
- monitoring of transactions with hryvnia gaming substitutes.
This should transform the system not only into a tax instrument but also into a mechanism for protecting players.
Similar digital systems are already in place in a number of EU countries, including Germany and Romania. Ukraine is trying to adapt this experience as part of its reform of the gambling market, which has remained partially in the shadows for years.
Earlier, it was also reported that the Ministry of Digital Transformation, together with PlayCity, plans to introduce limits for players for the first time — another element of responsible gaming policy.
