Ukraine Considers Amendments to the Gambling Industry’s Regulations

If adopted, these bills would mark a significant step towards establishing a lawful, structured industry, improving investor confidence and strengthening consumer protection.

State Online Monitoring System

The project suggests substantial changes to how gambling regulation is handled. Authorities plan to shift from superficial oversight to ongoing digital monitoring of KPIs and related metrics.

Key provisions of the bill:

1. Operators must track player activity in real time, including total platform visit durations and even minor spending changes.
2. Mechanisms for intervention when anomalies are identified should be developed and implemented, such as automatic session termination and personal limits.
3. The removal of the concept of a bookmaker’s office from the legal scope is also envisaged, shifting all sports betting online to reduce physical access to these services for a broader audience.

The initiative also outlines the fundamental principles of the State Online Monitoring System (SOMS). Each licensed operator will be assigned a personal electronic account for submitting documents and communicating with the regulator and other government authorities.

Important Shifts in the Offline Segment

Land-based casino venues should anticipate higher license fees. This change affects solely physical facilities located in the capital. Specifically, for Kyiv’s establishments, the cost of an operating certificate will increase from UAH 60,000 to UAH 66,850.

This price covers the authorisation to install:

• 10 gaming tables;
• 2 roulettes (within the 10);
• 50 slot machines.

Any additional equipment will necessitate obtaining a separate permit. The draft law was published on March 10th. Industry representatives and other stakeholders have 15 days to review the document and submit their feedback or comments through the MDT’s official portal.

Ukraine’s Tax Code: Key Changes

This initiative is especially pertinent in light of the SOMS rollout. At present, the grey market segment accounts for roughly 39–51%, and the regulator is dealing with multiple lawsuits involving illicit operators.

Key updates to the Tax Code envisage:

• the implementation of a uniform fiscal rate of 18% on GGR for all industry members, including land-based and online operators;
• the removal of double taxation — profit and revenue fees will now be deductible from turnover;
• a levy on the player’s actual winnings, i.e., the difference between the deposited sum and the reward secured.

To streamline financial oversight, regulators will be granted access to the SOMS’ internal registries. If the operator’s data deviates by more than 5% from the state system’s records, a manual audit will be commenced.

Additionally, there are plans to broaden the definition of gambling profits. Taxes will apply not only to cash but also to alternative prizes awarded to the user.

Industry Supervision Updates: Commentaries

Natalia Denikeieva, the MDT’s Deputy Minister for Digital Economy Development, stressed that the legalisation of gambling in 2020 was merely the 1st step towards bringing the industry out of the shadows. Over time, however, it became evident that formality alone does not guarantee complete control, as the sector is expanding faster than government oversight capabilities can keep pace.

According to Ms Denikeieva, the current priority is the implementation of systemic online monitoring across all entertainment niches. The prepared set of draft laws is designed to completely overhaul the supervisory body's operational approach, shifting decision-making from forecasts to real-time data.