The timeline and potential use of artificial intelligence to identify gambling addiction were discussed by Oleksandr Bornyakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for IT Development, during a recent briefing.
Key Takeaways
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New Regulatory Body
- A specialized agency will be formed to manage and regulate the gambling industry.
- The initiative, however, will not launch in 2025, according to Bornyakov.
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Focus on Proper Regulation First
- Bornyakov emphasized that organizing the regulatory framework takes precedence over additional measures.
- Once the body is up and running, discussions can begin about advanced tools to ensure responsible gambling practices.
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Artificial Intelligence for Player Protection
- After the new regulator is established, the government may explore AI-driven solutions to detect gambling addiction.
- These systems could help identify at-risk individuals, potentially leading to a “gamblers’ registry” to safeguard vulnerable players.
“We need to formalize regulation in this sector first. Once the new authority is operational, we can consider using AI and creating a registry to identify people with gambling addiction,”
— Oleksandr Bornyakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation
What’s Next
According to Bornyakov, no immediate steps to deploy AI-based tools will take place this year. The minister stressed that the foundation must be laid through consistent policy and clear standards within the new regulatory framework before exploring technological solutions.
By prioritizing responsible operations and modern oversight, Ukrainian authorities aim to strike a balance between industry growth and player protection—potentially setting the stage for advanced systems that proactively address problem gambling in the near future.
