The Commission for Regulation Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL), Ukraine’s regulating body, has deactivated 371 uncertified gambling websites.
A joint exercise between KRAIL and the country’s security service has been responsible for this. For carrying out the deactivation of domain names, order no: 451/2256 was provided. This order prevents electronic communication service providers from deactivating sites using their individual domain name system (DNS) servers.
In the months of April and May, more than 1,000 such orders were released for lessening connectivity with domain names, as well as subdomains existing on DNS servers, following the exercise carried out by KRAIL and the Security service.
All of these occurrences occurred when there was total uncertainty regarding the period in which the regulator had to remain in control of the gambling industry in Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, carried out a voting exercise to liquidate KRAIL. This was due to a dissatisfied opposition airing their views regarding the regulatory body’s inefficiency in distributing certifications to online gambling sites.
KRAIL comprises a collegium, a Chairman, and six board members. Due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, certain members are sometimes unavailable, restricting others from reaching a specific conclusion on most matters.
These hiccups hamper the smooth functioning of the body, resulting in unnecessary delays in taking decisions, the primary ones being related to offering certifications. Added to that are several other matters related to gambling practices that require close consideration.
The status of the bill is that it will be up for another review. If duly passed, it will be transformed into becoming a law, following the signature of President Zelenskyy.
If KRAIL becomes defunct, the powers will be handed over to the digital transformation ministry under Alina Plyushch.
