Criticizing the conflation of gambling costs and donations to the B.C.U., as stated by Ruddy.
Updated Article:
On Facebook, Rudyi made some bold statements:
- There's a bustling legal gambling scene, with 13 land-based operators and 17 online counterparts.
- The shady underground gambling world, though, boasts over 600 dodgy websites (known to authorities like KRAIL and thought to be blocked in Ukraine).
- KRAIL maintains a Registry of individuals banned from gambling joints and gambling activities. They've been conducting checks on organizers since late last year, catching violations in 4 out of 6 cases and doling out fines totaling 14 million.
- Though disguised sponsorship is frowned upon, KRAIL acknowledges they'll need to tackle it.
- According to the NBU, Ukrainians spent around 400 million UAH a day on online casinos in 2023. This is cash spent, not squandered, as not all deposits translate to losses. Winning card withdrawals account for roughly 70-80% of these deposits. There's no need to compare these figures to donations made to the Armed Forces of Ukraine; a better comparison would be to Ukrainians' daily spending at shops and eateries.
Recent news suggests that people are spending 400 million UAH daily on online casinos, while donating nearly 19 billion to the top three funds yearly. A petition calling for a ban on soldiers gambling and charities accepting assistance from gambling companies was also discussed.
Author: Alina Shvets
For more insights:
Unveiling the Fines: Who and What KRAIL Cracked Down on for 2 Million
Sponsorship acts as a stealthy advertising method, and KRAIL ain't happy about it, mate
Current Gambling Regulations in Ukraine:
Regulatory Framework
Gambling (including online platforms) was legalized in Ukraine in 2020, with Law No. 768-IX and further refined through Law No. 2285-d, which outlaws unlawful gambling, restricts gambling halls to three-star hotels, and sets the minimum gambling age at 21 years [4][5]. In 2025, the new regulator, PlayCity, replaced the former KRAIL, expanding its powers to monitor the sector and set responsible gaming benchmarks [1][3].
Responsible Gaming and User Restrictions
Key measures include:
- Mandatory Breaks and Daily Limits: Operators must enforce mandatory breaks and daily time limits for players [1].
- National Problem Gambling Register: PlayCity manages a register for people struggling with gambling addiction. Voluntary self-ban applications can last between 6 months and 3 years [1][4].
- Age Limitation: Only adults aged 21 and above can gamble [4].
- Self-Exclusion Tools: The Diia.Engine platform offers a straightforward method for users to opt for a self-exclusion ban [4].
Operator Oversight and Registry
- State Lottery and Operator Registry: PlayCity oversees the state lottery and keeps a registry of licensed operators, adopting a clear selection process for new entrants and publishing annual sector reports [1].
- Expanded Enforcement Powers: The regulator is tasked with shutting down illegal operators and preserving public trust, inheriting the staff and resources from the previous KRAIL [1].
Legal vs. Illegal Gambling Giants
No official, up-to-date count of legal and illegal gambling entities in Ukraine is available. However, the focus remains on detecting and shutting down illegal operators, thanks to PlayCity's increased oversight [1][3].
Penalties for Violations
- Illegal Gambling: Illegal gambling operations risk heavy penalties, including fines and potential jail sentences [4].
- Operator Sanctions: Licensed operators face fines, license revocations, or even criminal charges for breaching responsible gaming rules [1].
- Individual Restrictions: Though primarily focusing on operators, underage individuals or self-excluded users attempting to bypass restrictions may face account suspensions or denials of access [4].
Summary Table: Crucial Regulatory Points
| Regulation Aspect | Details ||--------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Legalization | 2020 (Law No. 768-IX and Law No. 2285-d) || Regulator | PlayCity (since 2025, replacing KRAIL) || Age Limit | 21 years || Gambling Halls | Allowed only in three-star hotels || Responsible Gaming | Mandatory breaks, daily limits, self-exclusion registry || Self-Exclusion | 6 months to 3 years, via Diia.Engine || Penalties for Operators | Fines, license revocations, criminal charges for illegal operations || Penalties for Individuals | Account suspension, denied access for underage/self-excluded users |
- The recent regulatory framework in Ukraine, overseen by PlayCity, outlaws unlawful gambling and limits gambling halls to three-star hotels, setting the minimum gambling age at 21.
- PlayCity, the new regulator, manages a register for individuals struggling with gambling addiction, offering voluntary self-ban applications that last between 6 months and 3 years.
- In the bustling legal gambling scene in Ukraine, mandatory breaks and daily time limits are enforced by operators, aiming to promote responsible gaming.
- Despite regulator's efforts, the shady underground gambling world, with over 600 dodgy websites, continues to operate indirectly, possibly bypassing the restrictions imposed by KRAIL and PlayCity.
