Ukraine regulator receives almost 200 gambling license applications in first quarter

Ukraine’s Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL) received almost 200 license applications related to gambling during the first quarter of 2024. Out of the 194 applications, KRAIL has granted 152 licenses.

While 138 of these were licenses for gaming machines, three were for the provision of gambling services. Moreover, nine licenses were issued for gaming tables, and one license each was reserved for online casinos and a gaming table with a roulette wheel.

KRAIL refused one license application, while two were unsuccessful owing to insufficient information on the necessary documents. 

The fresh wave of applications comes as the regulator cracks down on the black market. In August 2023, KRAIL said that nearly three-quarters of unlicensed operators blocked access to their websites in the country after being contacted by the regulator. According to KRAIL, 72.3% of sites halted operations in Ukraine following intervention. This covered the period from 25th January 2022 to 8th August 2023.

Ukraine mulls banning soldiers from gambling

In other recent news, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month announced he would consider banning armed forces from online gambling after a petition from a Ukrainian soldier. 

In response to the petition, Zelenskyy has directed law enforcement agencies and ministries to conduct an analysis of the issue and propose potential solutions. This comes in response to public petitions urging restrictions on online casinos due to concerns about their adverse effects on soldiers and society.

The plan for these restrictions was revealed during Zelensky’s evening address to the country’s citizens on 2nd April. The soldier’s petition aimed to draw attention “to the harm that the gambling business causes to the Ukrainian army and Ukrainian society.”