Ukrainian regulator opens tender for system to prevent military access to gambling
PlayCity seeks a developer to create a software module to automatically restrict military personnel.
Ukraine.- The Ukrainian gambling regulator PlayCity has announced the launch of a tender to create a software module designed to automatically restrict military personnel from accessing gambling. According to a statement reported by Ukrinform, the module will establish electronic interaction between the Register of Persons Restricted from Access to Gambling and the State Register of Military Personnel.
It was reported earlier in the year that the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ministry of Defence were working on plans to develop such a system to block the military from gambling in Ukraine. The new system will use Trembita, the secure electronic data exchange platform that connects Ukrainian government registries and powers online public services, to enable automated information exchange between the two registers.
Developing the module is described as a crucial technical step towards introducing the automatic verification of restrictions on military personnel’s participation in gambling. Once completed, PlayCity and the Ministry of Defence will carry out testing to confirm the electronic interaction between the registers, with this stage scheduled to be finalised by December 24. Following successful verification, the results will be made public and the restriction mechanism will be formally introduced.
Explaining how the system will operate, the agency stated that when a player registers or logs in, the gambling operator will first check the Register of Persons Restricted from Access to Gambling. If no restriction is found, the system will automatically cross-reference the State Register of Military Personnel. Should grounds for restriction be detected, access will be blocked. Operators will not be informed of a player’s military status, only the outcome of the check, in an effort to ensure that sensitive information remains protected.
While this automatic mechanism is still under development, Ukraine already provides other ways for citizens to restrict access to gambling. Individuals can voluntarily submit applications for self-exclusion, choosing a period between six months and three years. Applications can also be filed by first-degree relatives or legal representatives if they wish to restrict someone’s participation in gambling.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation has separately prepared a draft Strategy to Minimise the Negative Impact of Gambling and Combat Gambling Addiction. This framework, which will run until 2035, aims to balance citizen protection with the preservation of tax revenues and effective regulation of the gambling market. Regular assessments are planned throughout implementation.
