In its first six months of operation, Ukraine’s new gambling regulator, PlayCity, has blocked access to over 2,500 illegal online casinos, according to Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov. Established on March 21, the agency has introduced new standards for responsible gaming, strengthened licensing procedures, and implemented the country’s first-ever limits on gambling.
Fedorov highlighted the financial impact of these initiatives, noting that license fees from regulated operators have already brought more than 1.4 billion hryvnias ($33.2 million) into the state budget. “The regulator’s approach is clearly working,” the ministry said, emphasizing that in the most recent quarter, all licensed gambling companies submitted reports on time, a major improvement over previous quarters when one in four operators failed to meet reporting deadlines.
Social Media Enforcement and Fines
PlayCity has expanded its enforcement to social media platforms, cooperating with TikTok and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram to remove illegal casino advertising. The regulator has successfully taken down more than 280 posts promoting unauthorized gambling platforms.
In addition to blocking websites, PlayCity has imposed fines totaling over 52 million hryvnias ($1.2 million) on bloggers and media outlets that promoted illegal casinos. In October alone, the agency geoblocked more than 300 casino sites and fined operators 24 million hryvnias ($569,000). The regulator has also denied licenses to companies that maintain connections with Russia, reflecting Ukraine’s broader efforts to secure the industry from foreign influence.
Modernizing Oversight and Protecting Players
PlayCity has launched a tracking system enabling Ukrainians to report illegal gambling platforms. The agency is also developing a national registry for gambling addicts, aiming to prevent problem gambling and improve market transparency. Fedorov said that the regulator plans to roll out a modern online monitoring system to strengthen supervision and ensure compliance throughout the sector.
The reforms coincide with the restart of Ukraine’s lottery sector, which has operated in a gray zone for more than a decade. According to Fedorov, this market will now operate fully within the legal framework, paying all required licensing fees and taxes, correcting years of underreported revenue.
“The regulator’s goal is to create a transparent, safe, and compliant market that protects bettors from the negative effects of gambling,” the ministry said, summarizing PlayCity’s mission as it continues its crackdown on illegal operations while modernizing oversight of the nation’s gambling industry.
Achievements in Regulation and Compliance
Beyond site blocks and fines, PlayCity’s reforms have improved licensing standards and contributed significant revenue to the state. The regulator has brought discipline to the market, with stricter reporting, monitoring, and enforcement processes ensuring that both operators and affiliates follow the law.
PlayCity’s initiatives mark a significant step in modernizing Ukraine’s gambling industry, combining enforcement against illegal operators, proactive engagement with social media platforms, and the establishment of tools to protect consumers. These measures are intended to ensure that the market grows safely, transparently, and in full compliance with national regulations.
Source:
“PlayCity blocked 2.5 thousand illegal online casinos”, mezha.ua, December 3, 2025
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