{"id":11668,"date":"2025-12-03T12:32:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T12:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbceurasia.com\/en\/?p=11668"},"modified":"2025-12-03T12:32:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T12:32:24","slug":"ukraine-to-relaunch-national-lottery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbceurasia.com\/en\/2025\/12\/03\/ukraine-to-relaunch-national-lottery\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine to Relaunch National Lottery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ukraine<\/strong> will launch a new National Lottery<\/strong> firm as part of ongoing plans to overhaul the governance of gambling in the interest of national security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The announcement comes from the Ministry of Digital Transformation<\/strong> (MDT), the government body leading Ukraine\u2019s technology, IT, and data-infrastructure projects and key policy coordinator ensuring digital resilience and transparency amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MDT confirmed that regulatory agency PlayCity<\/strong> has begun proceedings to open competition for state lottery licences, marking the first regulated process in more than a decade. The move seeks to dismantle what officials have described as a \u201cgrey zone\u201d where operators paid no licence fees and tax oversight was minimal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the new framework, only licensed operators will be authorised to conduct state lotteries. The rules mandate electronic reporting and real-time tracking of ticket sales and winnings, while every ticket and terminal will carry a unique QR code to verify its point of sale and confirm the legality of the equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government action follows years of instability surrounding former operators MSL<\/strong> (Molod\u2019 Sport Loto) and Patriot,<\/strong> which lost credibility after being implicated in corruption allegations in 2015 and accused of serving as money-laundering vehicles for Russian partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Security and Defense Council<\/strong> (NSDC<\/strong>) imposed direct sanctions on both firms, freezing operations and paralysing the market for nearly a decade, with no new licences or regulatory oversight issued during that period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Minister Natalia Denikeeva<\/strong> deems the initiative as a full reset for a market long in need of structure and accountability:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe time for us to start a market where the initial conditions are the same for all is finally here. A competitive environment is established around that – one in which old schemes will not continue to win, but quality, technology and compliance with the law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denikeeva added that the government\u2019s goal is to build a transparent, tax-compliant lottery sector that both contributes to public revenues and guarantees fairness for players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PlayCity has invited Ukrainian companies, particularly those with overseas experience, to apply for the new licences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applicants must meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n