Ukraine Begins Pilot Program for Online Monitoring of Gambling Industry
Ukraine’s gambling oversight authority, PlayCity, has commenced a trial run of the initial phase of the State Online Monitoring System (DSOM). This innovative platform is designed to provide the government with direct access to transactional data related to bets, refunds, and winnings. Currently, two operators have successfully integrated with the system as testing proceeds. Ukraine Online Monitoring
In a significant move to tighten oversight, Ukraine’s gambling regulator, PlayCity, has launched the testing phase of DSOM: a government platform aimed at aggregating transactional data from licensed gambling operators. The system enables authorities to obtain real-time information on bets, refunds, and winnings, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of market dynamics. Initial testing includes two operators who have completed integration, with ongoing efforts to bring additional gambling companies onto the platform. PlayCity emphasizes that DSOM is a vital digital tool for overseeing the market. The regulator notes that the first phase already supports essential functions for collecting and processing transaction data from licensed providers.
This initial rollout allows the authorities to evaluate the system’s performance in real-world conditions before expanding its scope. The ultimate goal is to implement DSOM across the entire gambling sector, moving beyond the pilot phase. According to PlayCity, DSOM meticulously records each financial transaction, including every bet, refund, and payout of winnings. This creates a detailed operational dataset from licensed operators. The system also grants Ukraine’s State Tax Service access to primary transaction data necessary for calculating gross gaming revenue (GGR) and taxes on winnings. GGR, which is total stakes minus paid winnings and refunds, serves as a key indicator for taxation and market analysis.
Operators link their internal systems to DSOM via an application programming interface (API), enabling automatic data exchange. Each transaction is assigned a unique identifier within the system. PlayCity clarified that the platform does not track user behavior or monitor the flow of player funds; it only processes completed bets. The system employs unique IDs and ACID storage principles database rules designed to maintain data consistency ensuring that each operation is recorded only once and cannot be duplicated.
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In case of transmission issues, the data remains stored locally and can be sent later, minimizing the risk of information loss during outages or disruptions. Later this year, PlayCity plans to advance to a second stage of DSOM, incorporating more sophisticated analytical features for government use. The regulator has announced an upcoming tender for this phase. Funding for the development is already secured through a cabinet resolution cited by PlayCity. The next stage is expected to include recording game results, monitoring slot machine parameters, and tracking operations involving gambling substitutes for the hryvnia currency. Ukraine Online Monitoring
