Control over the gambling business is stalling: what went wrong
28 January 06:24
Registers and digital control tools in the field of gambling, which were supposed to be put into operation by the end of 2025, are still not working. This was reported by the Accounting Chamber based on the results of monitoring the implementation of recommendations from the audit “Gambling Business: Expectations and Reality,” according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
In particular, this concerns the State Online Monitoring System (SOMS) and the Register of Persons with Restricted Access to Gambling, which are to become key tools in the fight against the shadow market and gambling addiction.
The audit revealed systemic problems in the state regulation of the gambling business: delays in the introduction of online control tools, insufficient transparency in the accounting of gaming operations, and limited effectiveness of supervision over the activities of gambling organizers.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Accounting Chamber, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a number of decisions, which, in particular, regulate the conduct of planned state supervision measures in the field of gambling and lotteries and approve new conditions for licensing the issuance and conduct of lotteries.
- The Ministry of Digital Transformation is developing regulations on the creation of a unique player identifier and the procedure for connecting gaming equipment to the State Online Monitoring System (SOMS). A study on the illegal market segment and the social risks of gambling addiction has been initiated.
- Based on an analysis of the reports of gambling businesses, the State Tax Service has formulated proposals for conducting inspections and has begun to establish electronic information exchange with the PlayCity Agency.
- The PlayCity Agency approved strategic goals for 2026–2028, created the first phase of the DSOM and the Register of Persons with Restricted Access to Gambling, but did not put them into operation within the specified time frame.
What exactly was not done on time
In accordance with the recommendations of the Accounting Chamber, the PlayCity Agency procured the creation of a State Online Monitoring System and a Register of Persons with Restricted Access to Gambling, but did not put them into operation within the specified time frame.
This was stated by the auditors of the Accounting Chamber based on the results of monitoring the implementation of recommendations following the audit “Gambling business: expectations and reality.”
What problems did the gambling business audit reveal?
The audit revealed systemic problems in the state regulation of the gambling business, some of which have already been eliminated. However, the implementation of some of the recommendations of the Accounting Chamber was delayed.
As of now, nine of the 16 recommendations provided to the controlled entities have been implemented, and seven are in the implementation stage.
The Accounting Chamber has informed the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine about the status of implementation of the recommendations.
Why is this important
Failure to launch registries and online monitoring systems:
- complicates control over the gambling market;
- reduces the effectiveness of combating gambling addiction;
- creates risks for budget revenues;
- leaves room for illegal gambling businesses.
The Accounting Chamber emphasizes that monitoring of the implementation of the recommendations will continue, and the public will be informed of further results.
