The Acting Minister of Digital Transformation, Oleksandr Bornyakov, has accused Danylo Hetmantsev, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Customs Policy, of manipulation during the drafting of industry-specific legislation. According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation (Mincifra), the actions of the Finance Committee’s leadership blocked the demonopolization of the state lottery market in Ukraine. This statement follows Hetmantsev’s recent appeal to the Prosecutor General’s Office demanding an investigation into Bornyakov’s conduct.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation contends that the updated legislative framework has frozen the status quo in the sector. The ministry claims that the state lottery market remains split among three major players. Furthermore, according to Mincifra, one of these beneficiary companies is effectively controlled by family members of an influential Ukrainian businessman who owns luxury real estate in Nice.
This new round of confrontation highlights profound disagreements regarding the gambling business regulation and the allocation of licensing authorities between the two bodies.
The public statement from the Ministry of Digital Transformation comes on the heels of aggressive moves by the parliamentary committee. Earlier, Danylo Hetmantsev officially filed a complaint with law enforcement agencies, accusing Oleksandr Bornyakov of official misconduct.
«The Head of the Rada’s Finance Committee alleges that the leadership of the Ministry of Digital Transformation deliberately sabotaged the implementation of an effective monitoring system for online gambling.»
According to committee representatives, delays in establishing oversight cause direct damage to the state budget and undermine transparency within the online casino sector in Ukraine.
Experts note that open conflict between the heads of key state institutions points to a lack of consensus within the executive and legislative branches. This institutional infighting over the legalization of gambling and lottery oversight not only stalls critical reforms but also sends a negative signal to international investors. At present, neither side shows any willingness to compromise.