Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT) has submitted 2 bills for consideration to move the country’s gaming market from a grey area into a transparent, legal realm. These documents include changes to the rules governing operator oversight and to tax rates for industry participants.
Initiative to Create a Unified Monitoring System
The project proposes fundamental amendments to the approach to regulating the gambling field. Authorities intend to replace surficial controls with continuous digital tracking of KPIs and other metrics.
The bill contains the following offerings:
- requiring operators to monitor user activity in real time, including the total duration of platform visit and the slightest fluctuations in spending;
- developing and implementing mechanisms for intervening when anomalies are detected, providing automatic session termination and personal limits;
- excluding the concept of a bookmaker’s office from the legal framework and moving sports betting entirely online to limit the physical availability of services to a wider audience.
The initiative also defines the basic principles of the State Online Monitoring System (SOMS). Each certified operator will receive a personal electronic account through which to submit documents and exchange data with the regulator and other government agencies.
Important Changes in the Land-Based Vertical
Physical casinos should prepare for an expected increase in license costs. This innovation applies to ground establishments located in the capital. For Kyiv venues, the operating permit price will rise from UAH 60,000 to UAH 66,850.
This fee includes the right to install:
- 10 gaming tables;
- 2 roulettes (within the 10);
- 50 slot machines.
Additional equipment will require a separate certification. The draft law was published on March 10th. Industry representatives and other interested parties have 15 days to review the document and submit suggestions or comments via the MDT’s official website.
Package of Amendments to Ukraine’s Tax Code
This initiative is particularly relevant given the implementation of the SOMS. Currently, the shadow market segment accounts for approximately 39−51%, and the regulator faces numerous lawsuits related to uncertified platforms.
The amendments to the Tax Code provide for:
- the introduction of a single fiscal rate of 18% on GGR for all market participants, including land-based and online operators;
- the elimination of a double levy — profit and revenue fees are now deductible from turnover;
- a charge on the user’s actual winnings, i.e., the difference between the deposited amount and the prize received.
To simplify financial control, niche authorities will have access to the SOMS' internal registries. If the operator’s figures differ from the state system’s data by over 5%, a manual audit will be initiated.
Furthermore, it is planned to expand the definition of gambling profits. Taxes will be levied not only on cash but also on any alternative rewards provided to the player.
Market Oversight Changes: Natalia Denikeieva’s Comments
The MDT’s Deputy Minister for Digital Economy Development emphasised that the legalisation of the gambling industry in 2020 was the 1st step in bringing it out of the shadows. Nevertheless, over time, it became clear that formality does not ensure full control. The segment is growing faster than government oversight capabilities can keep pace.
Ms Denikeieva considers the main goal now to be implementing systemic online monitoring across all gaming verticals. The planned package of bills will completely revise the supervisory authority’s work logic. Decisions will be based not on forecasts but on real-time data.
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