State Service of Special Communications blocked access to state lotteries: reaction of the UHL and UNL
20 August 2024 07:35
The State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) issued Order #675/2480, which provides for the introduction of restrictions on access to the official website of the state lottery operator in Ukraine LLC “M.S.L.” www.msl.ua and the Ukrainian National Lottery (UNL). However, the websites are still working, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Investigative journalist Yevhen Plinsky’s Telegram channel “Dirty Games” reports that the State Special Communications Service, responding to the BES’s request, issued an order to block the websites of MSL and UNL on Friday, 16 August.
“Someone has started a lottery business in Ukraine, which, surprisingly, is not a ‘game of chance’ and is not subject to taxation at the level of online casinos,” he wrote and published the order of the State Special Communications Service.
According to the document, this order will remain in force until the martial law in Ukraine is lifted or terminated.
The journalist noted that it seems that no one is in a hurry to implement the decision, as the websites are still working.
What do MSL and UNL say
The Ukrainian National Lottery (UNL) noted that it only found out on 19 August that the domain name unl.ua had been blocked in accordance with the Order of the State Special Communications Service.
“The company considers the blocking of the unl.ua domain name to be a misunderstanding or a planned attack on business, and the relevant Order of the State Special Communications Service to be erroneous and adopted contrary to current legislation,” the company said in a statement.
It is noted that the Order does not specify the reasons for blocking the domain name, and the appeal of the BES of Ukraine cannot be the basis for the relevant Order.
“UNL is currently working to obtain detailed information and is trying to resolve the issue as soon as possible. The website https://unl.uа, which provides access to participation in state lotteries, is operating normally, subject to the access restrictions imposed by the said Order. The website itself as a web resource was not restricted,” the company said.
The Ukrainian National Lottery (UNL) noted that it has been running lotteries since 1997, operates under a licence issued by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine No. 446756 dated 02.09.2013, and is one of the largest taxpayers among lottery operators in Ukraine.
“As a result of blocking UNL’s activities through its official website, the company is suffering losses, so tens of millions of hryvnias in taxes will not be paid to the State Budget of Ukraine every month,” UNL summed up.
M.S.L. also considers this decision to be “a means of pressure by certain government agencies on honest business and is ready to challenge it in a legal manner”.
“Government measures aimed at combating illegal gambling often also harm legal market participants who act exclusively within the law. In the context of martial law, this becomes an additional challenge, as the restrictions imposed complicate the activities of the company, which has been a reliable taxpayer and partner of the state in the development of social programmes and support for sports for many years,” the company said in a statement.
M.S.L. LLC appealed to the state authorities to reconsider this decision and find a balance between market control and support for companies that fulfil their obligations to the state and society in good faith.
“The company continues to operate in accordance with the current legislation, complying with all regulatory requirements and the principles of transparency and honesty. In connection with this situation, M.S.L. has prepared an appeal to the relevant authorities. We also plan to defend our rights in court to continue to bring joy and positive emotions to our players,” the company said.
