The state agency PlayCity, together with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, has published the results of the second stage of a study into the impact of gambling on society. While the first stage surveyed the Ukrainian population as a whole, the second stage focused specifically on gamblers. This approach provided a more accurate picture of why people start gambling, how often they play, how much control they have over the activity, and what motivates them to g

Ukrainian internet service providers have once again, at the regulator’s request, restricted access to hundreds of websites offering illegal gambling services. However, the figure of “475 websites” alone says little until one looks at what exactly makes up this list. It is not a random collection of individual casinos, but rather an extensive network of mirrors and technical addresses built around several well-known brands. This is the defining feature of modern shadow gambli

Illegal online betting has traditionally been associated with players using unlicensed websites to bypass regulations, avoid identity verification, or access more attractive betting conditions. However, a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) presents a much broader and more concerning reality. Read more

When it comes to illegal online gambling, the familiar image is that of a player visiting an unlicensed website to bypass restrictions, avoid identity verification, or gain access to more favorable terms. However, a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on transnational organized crime in Southeast Asia paints a very different picture. Illegal betting is no longer simply a matter of individual players or operators breaking the rules. It has evolve

Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has significantly stepped up its efforts to combat the shadow gambling sector, particularly in the online segment. The gambling market regulator, PlayCity, has referred more than 6,600 illegal websites for blocking — more than twice the number recorded throughout the entire previous year. This is undoubtedly a positive trend that gives hope that illegal operators will gradually lose ground, while the legal sector will finally have an o

Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has significantly stepped up its efforts to crack down on the shadow gambling sector, particularly in the online segment. The gambling market regulator, PlayCity, has referred more than 6,600 illegal websites for blocking — more than twice the number recorded throughout the entire previous year. This is undoubtedly a positive trend that gives hope that illegal operators will continue to lose ground, while the legal sector will finally

Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has significantly intensified its crackdown on the shadow gambling sector, particularly in the online segment. The gambling regulator, PlayCity, has submitted more than 6,600 illegal websites for blocking - more than double the total number recorded throughout the previous year. This is undoubtedly a positive trend, offering hope that illegal operators will continue to lose ground while the licensed sector will finally have the opportu

We are used to viewing the gambling market through the lens of traditional forms of gambling — casinos, slot machines, betting, and lotteries. Each of these segments has both offline and online components, which are subject to regulation by the relevant legislation and supervisory authorities. However, technological development is giving rise to new forms of gambling that often come to regulators’ attention only after they have effectively evolved into a separate gray market.

We have become accustomed to viewing the gambling industry through the lens of its traditional verticals - casinos, slot machines, sports betting, and lotteries. Each of these sectors has both land-based and online segments that are subject to dedicated legislation and regulatory oversight. However, technological innovation continues to give rise to new forms of gambling, which often attract the attention of regulators only after they have already evolved into substantial gra

Although gambling addiction is not a large-scale problem for the Ukrainian gambling market - accounting for only 0.5–1% of players - it cannot be ignored. Following the launch of the new market regulator, PlayCity, a strategy for preventing gambling addiction until 2035 was introduced. It aims to unify the efforts of the state and the private sector in combating gambling addiction and increase their effectiveness. The first year of operation of the state agency PlayCity has c

The online gambling industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge in fraudulent activity. Over the past year, the volume of suspicious transactions in the iGaming sector has increased 4.5-fold, while the average value of such transactions has nearly doubled from approximately $4,000 to $6,500. These figures point not to isolated incidents of abuse, but to a systemic transformation in the nature of the threats faced by online gambling operators. Read more

The online gambling industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge in fraudulent activity. Over the past year, the volume of suspicious transactions in the iGaming sector has increased 4.5-fold, while the average value of such transactions has nearly doubled from approximately $4,000 to $6,500. These figures point not to isolated cases of abuse but to a fundamental shift in the nature of the threats facing online gambling operators. Overall fraud levels have reached 1.53% of

Recently, PlayCity published the first results of a large-scale study on gambling behavior. The survey included 3,164 respondents aged 18 and older. Particular attention was given to examining so-called "at-risk groups," including young people, military personnel, and socially vulnerable populations. The findings proved to be both interesting and encouraging, especially compared to the claims repeatedly made by critics of gambling reform. The study found that public participa

Recently, PlayCity published the first results of a large-scale study on gambling behavior. The study involved 3,164 respondents aged 18 and older. Particular attention was paid to examining so-called “at-risk groups” - including young people, military personnel, and socially vulnerable populations. The findings proved to be quite interesting and encouraging, especially when compared with the narratives repeatedly promoted by critics of gambling reform. Read more

PlayCity has recently released the first findings of its large-scale study on gambling behavior in Ukraine. The survey included 3,164 respondents aged 18 and above, with particular attention paid to so-called "at-risk groups," including young people, military personnel, and socially vulnerable populations. The results proved both interesting and encouraging, especially when compared to the narratives consistently promoted by critics of Ukraine's gambling reform. Public partic

AI tools have become an integral part of our daily lives, finding their way into virtually every aspect of modern society. AI-powered assistants help us with work, online shopping, and even parenting. However, despite their power and versatility, global AI platforms are not always able to fully meet the specific needs of users in individual countries. Read more

AI tools have become an integral part of our daily lives, finding their way into virtually every area of human activity. Artificial intelligence-based assistants help us with work, online shopping, and even parenting. However, despite their power and versatility, global AI platforms are not always able to fully address the specific needs of users in a particular country. To achieve this, these models need to be “trained” to understand local contexts and “tailored” to the legi

AI tools have become an integral part of our daily lives and have permeated virtually every sphere of human activity. Artificial intelligence-powered assistants help us at work, with online shopping, and even with raising children. However, despite their power and versatility, global AI platforms are not always able to fully meet the needs of users within a specific country. To do so, these models must be taught to understand the local context and be tailored to the legislati

У країні, яка продовжує функціонувати в умовах воєнного стану, уряд надав пріоритет прозорості, цифровізації та посиленню нагляду в секторах, які тривалий час характеризувалися наявністю регуляторних прогалин. У цей період PlayCity не лише вдалося створити ефективну систему ліцензування, а й закласти основу для більш передбачуваного та керованого ринкового середовища. Детальніше

PlayCity’s first year of operation marked an important milestone for Ukraine’s gambling and lottery market. As the country continues to navigate the challenges of wartime, the government has prioritized transparency, digitalization, and stronger oversight in sectors that were previously characterized by significant regulatory grey areas. Over the past year, PlayCity has not only established an effective licensing system but also laid the foundation for a more predictable, tra

The first year of PlayCity's operations marked an important milestone for Ukraine’s gambling and lottery market. In a country that continues to operate under wartime conditions, the government has prioritized transparency, digitalization, and stronger oversight in sectors that had long been characterized by regulatory gray areas. During this period, PlayCity not only managed to establish an effective licensing framework but also laid the foundation for a more predictable and

Tax and licensing revenues generated by the gambling industry undoubtedly cannot compete with the taxes and other payments contributed by more powerful sectors of the economy. Nevertheless, the sector generates billions in state budget revenues that can be used to finance various public needs, including defense expenditures. Recently, the government adopted a relevant decision and allocated UAH 10.8 billion generated by the gambling sector to military needs. The government's

Combating the illegal gambling sector has become one of the key priorities for all developed countries where gambling is legal. Regulatory measures typically focus on technical solutions such as blocking illegal websites and platforms, prohibiting unlawful advertising and strengthening player protection requirements. However, despite these efforts, illegal operators continue to function and thrive. As a result, regulatory initiatives are increasingly shifting toward monitorin

A new study from Gaming Compliance International highlights the staggering size of the global unregulated gambling economy, estimating annual betting turnover at USD 5.9 trillion. The report underscores the rapid rise of “disguised gambling” products - such as social casinos, prediction markets, skin trading platforms, and influencer-led competitions—which mimic traditional gambling mechanics while operating outside most regulatory frameworks, creating significant challenges