Slotegrator to join the debate on Ukraine legislation

Slotegrator will provide expert opinion on the viability and sustainability of the Ukraine market at this month’s Ukrainian Gaming Week (UGW) in Kyiv.

UGW, which will be held from 23-24 March, is entirely dedicated to issues surrounding one of the latest countries to enter the regulated gambling scene. 

Opening of new markets means “new horizons to reach and new opportunities to grab”, said Slotegrator, as it prepares to present its full suite of solutions to those looking to follow the lead of Parimatch, who last week became the first operator to obtain a sports betting licence from Ukraine’s Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (CRGL). 

Despite its approval, SBC News learned that Parimatch is still waiting on final decisions from the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) regarding online gambling taxation, licensing costs and the technical accreditation of systems.

Just last month, Slotegrator Head of Sales Vadim Potapenko gave his thoughts on Ukraine’s regulatory structure as part of a recent interview originally for Login Casino.

“There is no perfect scenario — each country’s regulation has its own pros and cons,” he shared. “Obviously, operators will always have a negative attitude towards taxes — they view them as a burdensome expense on top of what they already pay to payment system providers, game developers and affiliates. That is why the simpler the tax scheme is, the easier it is for the operator.

“Ukraine is on the right track. There are licences available for both online and land-based projects. Furthermore, the licences are affordable: many will say they are on the high side but I believe that start-ups with the experience and the budget will pop up. 

“This will reduce risks for the players — if a casino has money, it can guarantee that winnings will be paid out. Any new businesses that appear on the Ukrainian market will be well managed projects with sophisticated brands.”

In a possible preview for Slotegrator’s approach at UGW, he added: “Operators from other markets might not be aware of acquisition strategies that would work for Ukraine, but if they’ve already successfully developed their projects in Europe and Asia, they can definitely find a way to do so in Ukraine, too.”