Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a new online monitoring system that will track all gambling transactions across the country. The system, announced via Telegram on August 31, will integrate with every licensed operator, including casinos, online platforms, slot halls, bookmakers, and poker rooms.
Authorities say the system will record bets, returns, and winnings in real time, publish market volume data, and provide a foundation for a new tax framework. It is also positioned as a tool to ensure “a transparent and open market.”
PlayCity Steps Into the Spotlight
The system will be implemented under PlayCity, Ukraine’s newly created gambling regulator, which replaced KRAIL in April following corruption scandals tied to money laundering and Russian influence.
Headed by Hennadiy Novikov, a former KRAIL deputy, PlayCity has been tasked with enforcing state policy in gambling and lotteries, both seen as high-risk sectors during wartime. The launch of the monitoring system is its most ambitious move to date.
Battling Illegal Gambling
Illegal operators remain a major challenge. Viktoriya Zakrevskaya, Deputy Chair of the Ukrainian Gambling Council, has warned that digital technology is fueling underground iGaming, making strict oversight essential.
To counter this, Ukraine is working with Meta to shut down Instagram accounts of influencers promoting unlicensed casinos through staged “winnings” and links to banned sites. Internationally, some countries, such as Argentina, are also tightening access to gambling through public Wi-Fi restrictions.
More Reforms Incoming
The monitoring system is just the start of sweeping changes to Ukraine’s gambling laws. Planned reforms include:
- A new register for B2B licenses
- Expanded powers for PlayCity to block illegal sites
- A full ban on gambling advertising
The push for reform follows concerns about the scale of online betting. The National Bank has estimated that Ukrainians are spending nearly UAH 400 million (€8 million) daily on digital platforms.
Industry Outlook
For operators, the reforms present both risks and opportunities. Some are anxious over stricter data collection, while others are calling for clearer rules to replace the uncertainty of past enforcement actions.
As Ukraine sharpens its oversight, industry experts suggest the country’s approach could set a precedent across Europe, where tax regimes and regulatory structures are still evolving.
