President Zelenskyy approves regulatory changes to Ukrainian gambling market
New legislation will include provisions for gambling ad restrictions and the creation of a new state regulator
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved a new bill that will introduce a series of changes into the country’s gambling market.
The legislation underwent its first reading back in April 2024, before being ratified by the Ukrainian parliament in December.
President Zelenskyy officially signed off on the bill on 3 January after receiving it from parliament on 9 December.
Included in the bill are proposals to introduce restrictions on gambling marketing in the country, limiting ads shown on TV to between 11pm and 6am.
Online ads will continue to be allowed, but they won’t be allowed to be targeted at people under the age of 21.
Another major change will see the country’s regulator, KRAIL, liquidated and be replaced by a new state-run agency.
The body will have the authority to block illegal websites and set limits on particular game types.
The new legislation allows for B2B licencing programmes for overseas companies, in addition to opening up Ukraine’s lottery market to foreign competition.
In December 2024, the KRAIL head Ivan Rudyi was detained by the country’s State Bureau of Investigation.
The decision was taken following allegations that Rudyi failed to revoke the licence of a Russian-owned operator, in addition to him being found in possession of a large quantity of cocaine.
An investigation found Rudyi failed to take action despite being warned by “numerous expert reports” that showed the operator in question was a threat to national security.
Dmitry Hotsyn, 4H Agency head of CIS desk and senior consultant, said the move marked a “significant milestone for the country’s gambling industry”.
He said: “The signed law includes all the key changes we have previously detailed for EGR: the liquidation of KRAIL, stricter advertising restrictions, modernisation of regulatory oversight and enhanced measures against illegal operators. It also reinstates reporting obligations for gambling and lottery operators and brings state lotteries under stricter operational standards.
“Another important change is the introduction of new B2B licensing requirements, mandating that any supplier must obtain a local licence to work with Ukrainian B2C operators, whereas previously, foreign providers were not required to hold a licence.
“These reforms reflect the Ukrainian government’s determination to create a safer, more transparent and well-regulated gambling market. However, challenges remain, including unresolved taxation issues, the high cost of licences and the broader uncertainties caused by the ongoing military situation. The success of these changes will depend on effective implementation and the government’s ability to enforce compliance across the industry.
“We will continue to monitor the development of gambling in Ukraine, keeping a close eye on market trends and further legislative changes. These reforms, while ambitious, have the potential to transform Ukraine into a competitive and attractive market for both domestic and international operators, provided that practical challenges are addressed and stability is gradually restored.”