Anton Kuchukhidze is a Ukrainian gambling industry expert and the Chairman of the Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC). He is actively involved in discussions surrounding gambling regulation, market transparency, responsible gaming, and the digital transformation of the sector in Ukraine. Kuchukhidze regularly contributes expert commentary on legislative reforms, taxation, anti-shadow market measures, and the development of a modern regulatory framework aligned with European standards. Through his work, he has become one of the prominent voices shaping public and industry dialogue around the future of the regulated gambling market in Ukraine.

The interview explores the fundamental reforms taking place within the Ukrainian gambling industry, focusing on digital transformation and the technological innovations aimed at ensuring market transparency and establishing high international standards.

How Is Digital Transformation Reshaping Gambling Regulation?
The transfer of gambling regulation to the Ministry of Digital Transformation has accelerated the industry’s shift toward digital governance. Communication between regulators, operators, and players is becoming more automated, allowing authorities to monitor market activity more efficiently. At the same time, these technological changes are expected to strengthen responsible gambling measures by helping identify risky player behavior earlier and more accurately.

 What Role Will the State Online Monitoring System Play in the Industry?
A major step in this process is the launch of the first phase of the State Online Monitoring System (SOMS). The platform is designed to monitor thousands of gambling transactions in real time, including deposits, bets, payouts, and session activity. By creating a centralized digital environment, the system aims to improve regulatory oversight, simplify tax administration, and enable faster responses to potential violations within the market.

Can Stronger Regulation Improve Player Protection and Market Transparency?
The expansion of SOMS is expected to contribute not only to tax transparency but also to safer gambling practices. Authorities are also working on making self-exclusion tools more accessible for players struggling with gambling-related harm. In addition, the system could help clearly distinguish licensed operators from illegal market participants, giving policymakers and the public a more accurate understanding of the market’s real scale and reducing room for misleading statistics.

What Challenges Still Prevent Full Gambling Reform?
Despite visible progress, several important regulatory issues remain unresolved. Questions surrounding taxation, including inconsistent terminology still require legislative attention. More broadly, the gambling sector often lacks sufficient priority among decision-makers, which slows reform efforts. Even so, continued institutional work and gradual modernization suggest that the industry is moving toward a more stable framework aligned with international regulatory standards.

the Ukrainian gambling sector is undergoing a period of significant transformation. Despite existing legislative and fiscal challenges, the focus on digital governance and the implementation of the State Online Monitoring System (SOMS) demonstrates the country's commitment to creating a secure, regulated gambling environment based on European values. The modernization of the industry serves as a guarantee not only for economic transparency but also for the protection of players and the reinforcement of responsible gaming principles.

 

 

 

 

 

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