As of October 2024, the Ukrainian gambling market included 10 licensed land-based casinos, 15 slot machine halls, 26 online casinos, 3 online poker platforms, 6 online bookmakers, and 1 land-based bookmaker.
The five-year reform that began in 2020 has transformed the sector: revenue soared from ~₴3 billion in 2021 to ₴142 billion, while taxes jumped to ₴17 billion . In the first quarter of 2025 alone, tax and licensing revenue reached ₴5.4 billion, a +20.4% increase over the same period in 2024. This upward trend could make 2025 a record year for industry revenue.
Licensed Venues and Investment Licenses
Only a limited number of physical casino venues operate in Kyiv due to strict hotel and location requirements. Ukrainian law still allows for investment licenses—for example, when building a new five-star hotel with over 200 rooms or a standalone gambling complex—but obtaining one remains near-impossible in 2025 due to documentation timing mismatches and regulatory ambiguity.
Taxation & Compliance Expectations
In 2025, the gambling industry faces underdeveloped tax frameworks. Once new legislation passes, a surge of new operators is expected to enter the market, potentially lifting investment and raising tax revenues. Meanwhile, regulatory authority has transitioned from the older commission to a new body called PlayCity, under the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
Regulatory Oversight & Inspection System
Regulatory oversight now operates on a risk-scoring system:
- Low risk (0–20 points): inspection every 3 years
- Medium risk (21–40 points): inspection every 2 years
- High risk (40–100 points): inspection yearly
Operators may easily enter the medium or high-risk category due to base risk assignments, such as being identified as a land-based casino operator or having multiple venues under one license.
Crackdowns on Illegal Gambling
Enforcement efforts in 2025 have led to the shutdown of 133 illicit online casinos, blocking illegal activity generating an estimated ₴3–5 billion per quarter in untaxed turnover. These actions highlight Ukraine’s intensified focus on combatting unlicensed operations.
Advertising Policy Update
As of July 14, 2025, licensed gambling operators in Ukraine are permitted to run ads across Google platforms—including Search, YouTube, and Play—but only after dual approval from both the regulator and Google.
Conclusion
While Ukraine’s gambling industry made remarkable strides between 2020–2025—driving revenue, formalizing regulation, and increasing licensure—the path to opening a land-based casino remains complex. Investment licenses are still practically unobtainable, inspections are more frequent, and advertising rules are tightly controlled. However, with evolving laws and enforcement mechanisms, the sector shows strong growth potential as a key contributor to both business and fiscal development.
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