In the Verkhovna Rada, a vote was held for the liquidation of KRAIL and the restriction of gambling advertising

In the Verkhovna Rada, a vote was held for the liquidation of KRAIL and the restriction of gambling advertising

The Verkhovna Rada approved in full bill No. 9256d "On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Combat Gambling Addiction (Ludomania) and Improve State Regulation of the Organization and Conduct of Gambling and Lotteries."

First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Tax and Customs Policy, member of the "Voice" faction, Yaroslav Zheleznyak mentioned this in Telegram noted.

239 deputies voted for this decision.

In particular, the document eliminates the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL). Instead, a new authorized body will be established by April 1, 2025, and a ministry responsible for formulating policies in the gambling and lottery sector will be designated.

A mechanism for restricting access to illegal gambling websites/mobile applications is also introduced.

Furthermore, the advertisement of gambling is prohibited, except for television and radio at night, in media for persons over 21 years, on platforms and search engines with a target audience over 21 years old.

In advertising, participation of servicemen, volunteers, popular persons, as well as the use of themes related to the war is prohibited.

At the same time, the bill prohibits:

• offering or reimbursing expenses for participation in gambling;
• making telephone calls, sending messages to an indefinite circle of people;
• offering free bonuses in exchange for bets.

There is also a ban on obtaining a license by persons who were owners or officials of gambling companies that have tax debts or debts on license payments.

Settlements in gambling will be carried out exclusively in monetary form through current bank accounts. The use of other payment services is prohibited. Also, companies from the gambling market are prohibited from sponsorship, except for sponsorship in sports.

Regarding lotteries, they are subject to most restrictions of the gambling business: reputation requirements for officials, tax obligations, relations with the aggressor country, exclusively bank settlements. Obtaining a license to conduct state lotteries is allowed for foreign entities with relevant experience.

The law also clarifies the rules prohibiting the issuance of a license to persons associated with the aggressor country. The use of their brands is prohibited.

Importantly, limits on expenditures and game time, as well as mandatory breaks, are now introduced. Accepting bets on credit or with subsequent payment is prohibited.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada approved in the first reading the bill No. 9256-d concerning the liquidation of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries and strengthening control over the gambling business back in April 2024.

The bill was a response to a petition requesting to address the harm caused by the gambling business to the Ukrainian army and society. After it gained widespread attention, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the head of the SSU, the State Special Communications Service, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and the Secretary of the NSDC to gather analytics on the operations of online casinos and propose their solutions.