PlayCity Outlines Draft Overhaul of Lottery Licensing in Ukraine

PlayCity has announced via Telegram its intention to reshape and modernise the licensing process for lotteries, which until now have operated without direct state control.

The newly drafted licensing conditions propose a framework for competition and payments relating to lottery licences. Although still at the consultation stage, the conditions are expected to be finalised following a period of public feedback.

Once the resolution comes into force, PlayCity will be tasked with overseeing the first competitive process for state lottery operators, with the selection process to be completed within 60 days of its announcement.

The reform, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy, is projected to raise over UAH 10m ($242m) annually in fees. PlayCity, which replaced the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL) in June after the latter was dismantled for ineffectiveness, has already shown a more assertive regulatory approach. In early August it issued eight fines to licensed casino operators for failing to submit obligatory reports, recovering UAH 3.2m in penalties.

This marks the first significant alteration to Ukraine’s licensing protocols since 2013. According to the Cabinet of Ministers, revenue from the revised lottery framework will contribute to strengthening the country’s defence capabilities amid the ongoing war with Russia.

The draft documents also acknowledge the impact of martial law, with specific concessions and adjustments included to account for the realities of operating under wartime conditions.

In other lottery industry news, National Lottery plc (Malta), a subsidiary of IZIGROUP, together with Brightstar Lottery (formerly IGT and Playtech), has launched the world’s first self-service terminal that combines sports betting and lottery ticket sales in one unified experience.