Rada plans to allow online casino and betting advertising
22 October 2024 09:19
In the coming weeks, the Verkhovna Rada promises to adopt in the second reading Bill No. 9256-d to combat gambling addiction (ludomania) and improve state regulation of activities related to the organisation and conduct of gambling and lotteries. This was reported by the author of ZN.UA, journalist Yevhen Plinsky, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to him, advertising may be allowed in the media from 23:00 to 6:00, in specialised publications dedicated to gambling and sports, and online media intended for people under the age of 21.
Placement on sharing platforms, search engines, etc. is considered if it is technically possible to direct advertising to users over the age of 21.
Sports sponsorship is also proposed to be allowed in a certain format, but with stricter restrictions.
At the same time, the bill proposes to ban any advertising of gambling bonuses, cashback, and free spins.
The law also proposes to
- prohibit the visual placement of operators’ logos on any objects except for sponsorship
- to ban advertising mailings, cold calls (when you receive random calls and are offered to play in a casino), etc;
- prohibit the promotion of charity and grants from industry operators.
It is also proposed to ban the following in advertising:
- participation of persons under the age of 21
- participation of military personnel, volunteers, and doctors;
- participation of popular figures;
- use of war themes and patriotic appeals.
Draft law No. 9256d was passed in the first reading on 24 April. The document was supported by 272 MPs.
One of the main ideas of the draft law is the liquidation of the Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (CRGL).
The document also includes restrictions on gambling in Ukraine, including
- restrictions on gambling advertising and increased penalties for violations of these requirements;
- clarification of the procedure for conducting inspections of gambling organisers;
- introduction of measures to counteract prohibited online gambling;
- establishing additional criteria for cancellation of licences of gambling organisers;
- introducing a compensation mechanism for players who cannot play due to restrictions;
- limiting the use of more than one account by players for settlements with gambling organisers;
- the possibility of applying for a licence in electronic form through the electronic services web portal.
Gambling business in Ukraine
The gambling business in Ukraine has a complicated history. Until 1989, gambling was banned in the USSR. After gaining independence, the legal gambling business began to develop in Ukraine, with the first casino opening in Kyiv in early 1991. However, in 2009, a law was passed to completely ban gambling, which led to its criminalisation and the development of the illegal sector.
In August 2020, a law on the legalisation of gambling came into force, allowing offline and online gambling, betting, slot machine halls and poker. The Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (CRGL) was established to oversee the industry. Despite the legalisation, problems remain: according to the expert, as of 2023, there were 14 legal and about 1,100 illegal casinos and betting companies in Ukraine. The authorities continue to fight the illegal sector by introducing new restrictions and sanctions against violators.
After the full-scale Russian invasion, the problem took on a new dimension. It is believed that there is a whole epidemic of gambling addiction among Ukrainian soldiers at the frontline. There is no concrete evidence of this, nor is there any systematic journalistic or scientific research, but after a series of petitions, President Zelensky signed a decree to restrict online gambling. Gambling advertising and sponsorship may also be banned in Ukraine.
