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In a major step to control illegal gambling, Ukrainian authorities have blocked 133 unlicensed gambling websites. Different government and regulatory groups made this joint move, and it’s the first large-scale action of its kind in Ukraine.
The goal is to fight illegal online casinos that are said to be making billions of hryvnias every few months without any license or tax payment.
Strong Action by Ukraine’s Agencies
The operation was led by:
- Security Service of Ukraine
- Derzhspetszviazok (State Service for Special Communications)
- National Commission for Electronic Communications (NCEC)
- Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators (AUGO)
According to Directive No. 435/3236, internet providers received orders to block these websites by July 8, 2025. These blocked domains and IP addresses were part of a grey-market network involved in illegal betting.
The websites were not only banned, but their payment systems and tech support were also stopped. This included illegal peer-to-peer transactions done through fake wallets and payment apps.
Gambling Sites Linked to Russia
Many of the blocked gambling websites have ties to Russian companies, according to Ukrainian regulators. This raises more than just legal concerns it also touches national security.
These websites:
- Often clone themselves with new domains
- Are known for scamming users
- Can lead to data theft and cyber fraud
AUGO President Oleksandr Kohut said this was just the beginning, comparing it to a chess match where “white has made the first move, and black is already losing.”
Support from the New Gambling Association
This is also the first time Ukraine’s national services have teamed up with AUGO, a self-regulatory group formed only three months ago.
AUGO provided:
- Technical tools
- Data analysis
- Information on illegal operations
They are now working with other government departments like:
- Ministry of Digital Transformation
- PlayCity, the new gambling regulator
AUGO wants more transparency in future website bans and plans to inform the media whenever illegal platforms are reported.
Legal Market Still Facing Trouble
Even though Ukraine has started many reforms and introduced legal options, illegal gambling is still a big problem.
AUGO said that 30% to 50% of gambling in Ukraine still happens through unlicensed websites. This costs the country up to UAH 10 billion each year in lost revenue.
In comparison, licensed platforms paid:
- UAH 17 billion in 2024
- UAH 6.4 billion in just the first 4 months of 2025
These numbers show how important the legal gambling market is for the country’s economy.
Big Changes in Regulation
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Digital Transformation took control of the gambling sector. In April 2025, it launched PlayCity, replacing the old regulator called CRGL.
Before shutting down, the CRGL:
- Gave out over 7,200 licenses
- Cancelled more than 4,100 licenses
PlayCity, with AUGO’s help, recently sent another 824 illegal gambling sites to be reviewed and blocked by the NCEC.
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