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Legalization in Ukraine: “to be” or “not to be”?
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Ukraine is on the cusp of legalizing gambling. After a 10-year ban, the new government made the adoption of the law one of its top priorities.
Discussion around legalizing gambling has been ongoing almost since the ban in 2009. Over the past five years, several bills have been put in front of parliament. Moreover, in 2018, the authorities promised the IMF to legalize all gambling in order to receive additional revenues to the budget. But not one of the bills were supported, and IMF promises were not kept with state’s budget ultimately missing out.
However, in June this year, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to prepare a bill on the legalization of gambling by October 1, and the parliament to adopt it by December 1, 2019.
The systematic follower of legalization was Alexander Danilyuk, who was dismissed on September 30 from the post of secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. Vladimir Groysman from the Ministry of Finance in the government then took over the mantle. He tried, in every possible way, to promote licensing conditions for the legalization of the gambling business but wasn’t able to bring a draft policy to parliament. Groysman again recently drew attention to the fact that the gambling business in Ukraine is operating “in the shadows” and has a billion UAH turnover that is not being taxed. He argues that the industry must be legalized and the parliament has every opportunity to quickly do this.
A few days ago, the Minister of Finance of Ukraine Oksana Markarova, presented the draft budget for 2020 in parliament and stated that the bill on the legalization of gambling is one of the priorities, since its adoption will provide a significant additional resource forthe state’s budget.
The lifting of the ban on gambling and liberalization of the economy as a whole is also actively supported by two of the largest players in the Ukrainian betting market: the international holding Parimatch and the company Favorit Sport.
CEO of the international betting holding Parimatch, Sergey Portnov in a comment to Ukrinform noted: “We are pleased that current and modern regulatory standards that will be created for the Ukrainian market at the legislative level, which will introduce clear, balanced rules for market players, the state and consumers. Parimatch is interested and supports the adoption of a systematic liberal law that will create an equal and transparent environment for all market participants. Thanks to many years of extensive international experience, our knowledge and expertise can be useful in an open dialogue between lawmakers, lawyers, experts and other participants in the process. We are as open as possible to this dialogue.”
Yekaterina Mashevskaya, Communications Director at Favorit Sport, believes that the main goal of the upcoming bill is to “standardize the industry according to European standards and attract additional cash receipts to the state budget. Mashevskaya comments that the “The bill will create conditions for the development of our market, the creation of new jobs, and the attraction of foreign investment Creating transparent conditions and openness to cooperation is the leitmotif of the current government and we welcome such initiatives. Gambling industry is high-tech. The legalization of the gambling business in Ukraine will provide an opportunity to develop the gaming industry in Ukraine, and this is actually a ‘blue ocean’ for the state.”
Gaming and betting industries in countries with adequate, civilized legislation are one of the main partners of the state for the funding and delivery of sports and charity projects. State funds are being created, which are funded by betting companies, and inclusive projects work from these finances. The new law on the legalization of gambling in Ukraine, first of all, should be a partnership between the government and business. It should include transparent, clear standards that create the operating conditions for those companies that want to contribute to society.
On September 30, during a presentation of the Government’s Action Program, Prime Minister Alexei Goncharuk announced that the Cabinet of Ministers would submit a bill on legalization of gambling business to the parliament in the coming days. “We want the slot machines to disappear from the streets, so the government developed a bill on behalf of the President. Yesterday, we voted for it, and in the coming days – today or tomorrow – it will be submitted to parliament.” Goncharuk said, noting that gambling will be held exclusively on the territory of hotels, the issue of lotteries is separately regulated.
The prime minister expects that the legalization of gambling will replenish the state budget by 2-2.5 billion UAH; “If we are talking about the revenue side of the budget, we expect that we will receive about 2-2.5 billion UAH due to the legalization of gambling in the budget. But we must also consider, we must understand what law will be adopted.”
Both experts and the Prime Minister agree that Ukraine needs a transparent law and a process that will formulate clear and liberal rules for all market participants. The state has all the opportunities to get the necessary expertise to prepare a balanced law. Have the lawmakers listened? Well, there is still no sign of the new law in parliament yet…but we should find out very soon.
The article was published by the state information agency ‘UKRINFORM’
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Legalization in Ukraine: “to be” or “not to be”?
Latest News
13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden
BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – is today submitting a letter to the government. The letter is signed by 13 gambling company executives and BOS’s secretary general. In the letter, the signatories urge the government not to support the gambling company ATG in their proposal to raise the general gambling tax in favour of a reduction in the tax on horse racing.
As a main argument, the signatories highlight the fact that the level of the gambling tax affects the proportion of consumers who choose to gamble on the legal licensed gambling market, and that too many consumers are already opting out of the safety of the licensed market with its extensive consumer protection.
“Horse betting has a channelisation rate of between 98-99 percent. Online casino, according to the most optimistic estimates, has a channelisation rate of between 72-82 percent. The higher the tax, the greater the risk that the consumer will choose unlicensed gambling, where neither gambling tax nor consumer protection exists. To then lower the gambling tax for horse betting, which already has a very strong channelisation, and raise it for online casino, which has a very weak channelisation, would be completely incomprehensible. At least for those who prioritize consumer protection,” says BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.
You can read the full letter here: Letter to Government on ATG gambling duty
The post 13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
FBMDS proudly unveils the Momentum Series, a crash gaming collection built to deliver fast-paced thrills, immersive visuals, and strong retention for online casino operators worldwide with the Piñata Rush, Magical Garden and Arctic Jumper titles.
Designed “for emotions” and “born to captivate”, the Momentum Series includes three high-performing titles — Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper — that redefine the crash genre with dynamic gameplay, deep personalization, and stunning 3D environments.
The Momentum Series was created to give players more control, excitement, and emotional connection while providing operators with games designed for longer sessions and better retention metrics. Each title combines intuitive gameplay with high volatility, 97%+ RTP, and a responsive, mobile-first design, ensuring performance across devices and browsers. Players can personalize their experience with auto bets, double bets, and auto cashouts, adapting each round to their individual risk strategy.
Piñata Rush offers a colorful, multiplayer crash gaming experience set in lively Mexican-inspired streets. Players can track others’ progress in real time and enjoy a community-driven atmosphere that keeps engagement levels high. With 97.06% RTP and features such as Multiplayer, Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and a configurable Max Bet from 100x to 1000x, this crash game provides vibrant entertainment across Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows.
Magical Garden immerses players in a lush 3D fantasy world where serenity meets suspense. This single-player experience blends calm and thrill through Auto Play and Auto Cash-Out functions, allowing personalized strategies and a Max Bet configurable from 100x to 1000x. With 97% RTP, it offers operators a high-performing product with wide cross-platform compatibility.
Arctic Jumper brings adrenaline to the frozen north with a fully 3D single-player experience. Its immersive visuals and smooth performance are enhanced by Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and customizable betting options that match each player’s risk profile. Operating at 97% RTP, this title delivers consistent engagement and retention potential for competitive markets.
“The Momentum Series represents FBMDS’ evolution into crash gaming — a genre built on emotion, timing, and control,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “With Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, we’re delivering fast, flexible, and emotionally charged experiences that empower both players and operators.”
FBMDS brings a winning portfolio of innovative iGaming solutions, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging, reliable, and profitable gaming experiences for operators worldwide. With a focus on slots, table games, video bingo, and now crash games, FBMDS empowers partners to scale and succeed in competitive markets.
The post Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
- Sunny feel-good vibes for everyone: Cozy Coast now available for iOS and Android
- New trailer highlights entertaining storytelling, merge-2 puzzles, and diverse gameplay elements
- Upcoming updates with new events and challenges for long-lasting fun
A beach adventure with heart: InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, today launches Cozy Coast worldwide, bringing sunny feel-good moments to smartphones and tablets. The game is now available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. Players in selected regions have already explored the Mediterranean island of Calista and experienced the captivating story of the two protagonists Mia and Elara. The unique mix of merge-2 puzzles, exploration, and heartfelt moments is clearly resonating with players, earning 4.8 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play out of 5 stars.
With today’s launch, InnoGames expands the game’s language support. Alongside the existing languages German, English, and French, Cozy Coast is now also available in Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
New Features, More Events: Regular Updates for Lasting Fun
In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island is filled with childhood memories, but its former charm has faded. Together, they set out to restore the island. The gameplay centers on merge-2 mechanics: By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents, collect resources, and restore buildings to unlock new areas of Calista. Along their journey, Mia and Elara encounter interesting characters, discover secrets, and explore the environment.
Check out the trailer on youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=hpacBlPfio4
Since the initial launch of Cozy Coast in selected regions, the development team has steadily expanded the merge-2 adventure. Customizable portraits, 3D decoration events, special quests with unique rewards, and advanced challenges for experienced players ensure there’s always something new to discover. The holiday season has also arrived: players can earn daily rewards, including the festive avatar “Winter Elara”.
Key Features of Cozy Coast
- Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
- Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
- Adventure in paradise: Follow best friends Mia and Elara as they discover hidden places and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
- Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
- Fresh challenges every day: Participate in competitive, daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, decoration and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
- A personal touch: Use portrait customization to bring individuality and personality to every adventure.
- Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
- Free to play without restrictions: Available worldwide on iOS and Android (except in Russia and China)
Cozy Coast is available on the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android.
For the latest news about the game, visit the official website or follow Cozy Coast on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The post Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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