Ukraine appoints former Invictus Games athlete as commission chair
Former anti-terrorist taskforce soldier Ivan Rudy to serve as inaugural regulatory chief as government builds licensing entity
The Ukrainian government has appointed former soldier and Invictus Games athlete Ivan Rudy as the new head of the Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (UGLC).
Rudy was selected by the government beating off competition from 20 other candidates, ministers confirmed. He was selected due to his experience and knowledge in the field of management, international relations and finance.
A veteran of Ukraine’s anti-terrorism taskforce, Rudy was wounded in action and went on to represent Ukraine at the Invictus Games event for injured and wounded servicemen.
A total of 378 individuals applied to work at the UGLC, which was formalised by the Ukrainian government in September. The government has said that individuals often applied for several roles at the same time.
During the interview process, applicants were asked about their knowledge of civil service legislation, constitutional, anti-corruption legislation, knowledge of the gambling law & regulations.
One question was asked in a foreign language in accordance with the requirements of the selection procedure and concerned the actual activities of the commission.
In addition to revealing the appointment of Rudy as head of the UGLC, Ukrainian cabinet minister Oleh Nemchinov confirmed Olena Vodolazhko and Yevhen Hetman as new commission members in unspecified roles.
Vodolazhko, a lawyer and member of the Ukrainian Bar Association, was selected due to her experience working with government regulators on the development and implementation of regulatory acts.
The government has revealed Hetman was selected due to his experience of international cooperation, including with NATO (coordinator of international projects), regulatory bodies and experience in managing utilities and private enterprises.
Unfortunately, the UGLC is unable to commence operations straight away as it requires by law, at least four members to be appointed before it can operate. The government have confirmed the application process will be re-opened with the aim of adding the remaining four members.
The government has said it is targeting “professional and unbiased” hires, looking for individuals with experience in the industry and with regulatory policy.
However, it is understood the trio have only been appointed on a temporary basis under special Covid-19 government procedures and will potentially have to reapply for their roles once safety measures are lifted.
The UGLC has been tasked with creating “favourable organisational and economic conditions” for attracting investments from gambling operators in the new regulated Ukrainian market.
Part of this duty involves ensuring a level-playing field between prospective operators.
It retains responsibility for licensing operators, establishing procedures for testing of operator products and can sanction operators where violations of Ukrainian gambling law are identified.
Discussing the new appointments 4H Agency senior partner Ilya Machavariani said: “I believe that anyone who is closely monitoring Ukrainian market is already used to the fact that any news from Kyiv could be interpreted in both ways: positive and negative.
“The obvious downside of this appointment is that no one out of the trio possesses any knowledge or expertise of gambling and therefore it might be take some time for them to get a grip on the industry.
“However, there is a positive side to the story — the process is moving forward and we can anticipate further steps to be taken rather soon: UGLC should issue the licensing conditions, other secondary legislation and start communicating with the market and, hopefully gain some knowledge and advice from the stakeholders of the industry,” Machavariani added.