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Casino and gambling in Ukraine
Ukraine is one of the few countries in Eastern Europe where gambling has been legalised after a lengthy ban.
After the adoption of the law in 2020, the country began a new stage in the development of the gambling business, focused on transparency, tax efficiency and protection of players.
Today in Ukraine there are licensed online casinos, betting companies and land casinos operating under state control.
Legalization history
Until 2009, gambling in Ukraine was completely legal and actively developed, especially in Kyiv, Odessa and Dnipro.
However, after a tragic fire in the arcade in Dnepropetrovsk (2009), a law was passed that completely prohibits gambling throughout the country.
For more than ten years, the market remained in the shadows - operators worked offshore, and the state did not receive taxes.
The situation changed in 2020, when the Law of Ukraine No. 768-IX "On State Regulation of Activities for the Organization and Conduct of Gambling" was adopted, which legalized the industry.
Legislative framework
The basic principles of regulation are enshrined in law No. 768-IX:- the establishment of the Gaming and Lottery Regulatory Commission (KRAIL);
- Licensing of all operators
- mandatory verification of players;
- protecting minors and combating ludomania;
- AML (anti-money laundering);
- market publicity and transparency.
- online casinos;
- bookmakers (including online betting);
- poker rooms;
- lotteries;
- gambling halls and casinos in hotels.
Online casino in Ukraine
Ukrainian law allows the activities of online casinos, subject to obtaining a license and compliance with technical standards.
Licenses are issued by KRAIL (Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries) for a period of 5 years.
The cost of a license for online casinos is about UAH 39 million (as of 2025).
Main requirements:- registration of a legal entity in Ukraine;
- authorized capital of at least UAH 30 million;
- Use of certified software
- Servers must be within the country
- mandatory integration with the state online monitoring system (GSOM);
- the age of the players is strictly 21 +.
Licensed online casino operators
Among the first licensees are the largest brands of the Ukrainian and international markets:- Cosmolot. ua - one of the first legal online operators;
- SlotCity, First Casino, FavBet, Pin-Up. ua, Vbet. ua, Volna Casino, Gold Cup;
- international brands that have received local licenses or partnerships.
All these operators are required to undergo regular audits and submit reports to KRAIL.
Land-based casinos
According to the law, casinos are allowed to open only in hotels of the 4-5 star category, as well as in special gambling zones.
The main centers of gambling business in Ukraine:- Киев — Shangri La, Fairmont Grand, Billionaire Casino, Joker Casino;
- Odessa - First Casino, Gagarinn, Odesa City Center;
- Lviv - Split, Grand Hotel Casino;
- Kharkov and Dnipro are regional clubs with a license.
These establishments operate under strict state supervision and are required to provide video control, identification of players and payment of taxes.
Taxation
In 2022, Ukraine simplified the tax system for the gambling business.
For 2025, the following structure is in effect:Before the introduction of the GSOM, many operators temporarily paid increased fees, but after the launch of the system, the tax burden became more transparent.
State Online Monitoring System (GSOM)
GSOM is a centralized KRAIL platform through which all game operations are recorded in real time.
It provides:- control of bets, winnings and transactions;
- prevention of manipulation and money laundering;
- protecting players from fraud;
- collection of reliable tax reports.
The implementation of the GSOM was completed in 2024, which was an important step towards full digital transparency.
Fighting ludomania
Ukraine pays special attention to the social protection of citizens.
A register of persons limited in participation in gambling has been introduced, which can be reached by:- personal application;
- a court decision;
- statement of relatives.
Operators are required to check players against the registry and block access if there are restrictions.
Casinos are also required to publish information about the risks of addiction and provide self-restraint tools.
Payment systems
Ukrainian online casinos support a wide range of payment methods:- Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, Google Pay;
- Privat24, monobank, Sense Bank;
- Skrill, Neteller, Piastrix;
- cryptocurrencies (within the legal framework) - Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum;
- terminals and bank transfers.
All transactions go through internal banking gateways registered in Ukraine, which increases financial security.
Economic importance
According to the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine (2024):- the legal gambling market brought the budget more than UAH 4.5 billion in taxes;
- the sector employs more than 5,000 professionals;
- the total turnover of the industry exceeded UAH 50 billion;
- the share of online gambling is about 70% of the total market.
The gambling industry is seen as a new source of investment in the economy and tourism.
Challenges and challenges
slowing licensing due to KRAIL reforms;- shadow activities of illegal operators;
- interlocks are not always effective;
- the need for international cooperation in the fight against offshore sites;
martial law has temporarily reduced the activity of land-based casinos, but the online segment continues to grow.
Development prospects
Main directions for 2025-2027:1. Implementation of a new tax model to reduce the burden on operators.
2. Full integration of all licensees with the GPS.
3. Development of esports and virtual casinos under KRAIL control.
4. International cooperation with Malta and the United Kingdom.
5. Strengthening Responsible Gaming standards.
Ukraine plans to enter the top 5 regulated markets in Eastern Europe, combining transparency, manufacturability and investment attractiveness.
Ukraine has come a long way - from a complete ban on gambling to the creation of a modern, regulated and digital industry.
The legalization of online casinos was an important step towards economic growth, investment and tourism.
Today, Ukraine is forming a European gambling model, which combines strict control, tax efficiency and comfort for players.
With the further development of legislation, the country may become a key center for legal online gambling in Eastern Europe.
