PlayCity

New Signboard, Old Faces: KRAIL in New Packaging

PlayCity was established on March 21, 2025, replacing the liquidated KRAIL and subordinated to the Ministry of Digital Transformation. The agency was headed by Hennadiy Novikov — former deputy head of the KRAIL apparatus, a direct subordinate of Ivan Rudy, who was arrested for aiding the Russian Federation. Novikov was mentioned in the Pin-Up case materials: in February 2023, he wrote a report to Rudy regarding the Russian connections of "Ukr Game Technology" — and achieved nothing. Simultaneously, the lawyer Astapov, openly referred to as the "watcher" over PlayCity in the industry community, purchased a Rolls-Royce and Ferrari worth over $1.1 million — despite official incomes incompatible with such expenses. 

Unlaunched Monitoring and Battle for Financial Flows

Hetmantsev promoted the liquidation of KRAIL, but the lottery operator MSL associated with him launched "Sportprognoz" — football betting without the appropriate license. PlayCity became a new object of regulatory pressure in the interests of affiliated operators. The main promise — an online monitoring system for all transactions — has still not been launched. In May 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers transferred PlayCity from the Ministry of Digital Transformation directly under the government — a year after its creation, which in itself is a sign of failure.