Replacement of KRAIL? The government has created a new regulator in the gambling market.

A state agency 'PlayCity' has been established to implement state policy in the field of gambling and lotteries

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has created a new state agency 'PlayCity', which will be responsible for implementing state policy in the organization and conduct of gambling and lotteries. This was stated by the permanent representative of the government in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk.

The 'PlayCity' agency will be the main executive body in this sphere and its activities will be coordinated with the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development - the Minister of Digital Transformation.

The specified agency will ensure the conduct and organization of gambling and lotteries in accordance with state policy.

In December 2024, the head of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries Ivan Rudyy was detained, suspected of assisting the aggressor state and illegal possession of drugs.

In October 2020, Rudyy was appointed head of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries. Later, in January 2024, signs of corruption in his activities were discovered.

In August 2024, a draft law was adopted that provides for the creation of a new state body for the organization and conduct of gambling. This draft law will lead to the dissolution of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries.

In January 2025, another member of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries was detained on suspicion of assisting Russia. This member of the commission, along with the chairman, had for a long time failed to revoke the license of a company that was engaged in gambling activities online.