The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed Hennadiy Novikov as the Head of PlayCity, the newly established gambling authority of Ukraine.
Novikov’s appointment was confirmed via the government’s Telegram channel on 8 April.
The PlayCity agency was launched on 1 April with the mandate to “implement a new state policy in the field of organising and conducting gambling and lotteries.”
PlayCity will work under Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to ensure that new laws protect Ukrainian gambling licences, consumers, and the regulatory regime from corruption.
In January, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an executive order to liquidate KRAIL, Ukraine’s former state agency for gambling. KRAIL had come under scrutiny due to ongoing corruption cases, including allegations of money laundering and providing intelligence to associates of Russia.
iGaming advisory 4H Agency provided SBC with details on Novikov’s background: “Taking charge of PlayCity, Hennadiy Novikov previously served as a deputy head of the KRAIL apparatus and was one of the six members of KRAIL. Prior to that, he worked at the Ministry of Digitalisation.”
Novikov collaborated closely with the Ministry during his time there and later applied for the position of KRAIL member, to which he was appointed. While serving as a KRAIL member, he also oversaw the work of the KRAIL apparatus. He now steps into the role of head of PlayCity, continuing his work alongside the Ministry of Digital Affairs, led by Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov.”
The formation of PlayCity followed the Rada’s approval of a reform package to the 2020 Gambling Law, aimed at enhancing state control and supervision of gambling activities.
Though not yet implemented, the government faces increasing pressure to introduce spending limits for Ukrainian citizens, following warnings that Ukrainians are spending nearly UAH 400 million (circa $8,8 million) daily on online gambling, according to the National Bank.
The new agency will also have the authority to directly block illegal gambling websites and expand the criteria under which licences can be revoked. Further legislation will enforce a blanket ban on gambling advertising.
Additional reforms may include the introduction of a new system to monitor gambling payments and a B2B licensing regime for technology and service providers.
The government also announced the allocation of UAH 15 million (approximately $374,500) to PlayCity to investigate corruption within the gambling sector.
In separate developments, Ivan Rudyi, the former General Manager of KRAIL, who was detained in 2024 for “facilitating Russian gambling activities,” has been denied bail.
Amid the ongoing war, Ukrainian gambling businesses operating abroad are calling on the government to reconcile their licences.
Several operators believe they have been blacklisted due to unfair determinations by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), which led to the suspension of their bank accounts, licences, and IT services on charges of corruption and aiding Russia.
Under conflict Ukraine’s legal framework remains fragmented for business to operate. Unresolved disputes over licence validity, regulatory blacklisting, and the suspension of services. For the gambling industry to regain stability and trust, it is essential that the Ukrainian government provides clear, transparent, and enforceable licensing procedures.
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