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

Gaming Compliance International recently published its GCI Online Gaming 2025: Global report on the global unregulated gambling market. According to the company's estimates, the scale of this market is truly staggering even by global economic standards with an annual betting turnover of $5.9 trillion. This figure exceeds the combined national budgets of many European countries and is surpassed only by the economies of the United States and China. Read more

Recently, Gaming Compliance International published its report, GCI Online Gaming 2025: Global, on the global unregulated gambling market. According to the company’s estimates, the scale of the market is truly staggering, even by global economic standards, reaching an annual betting turnover of USD 5.9 trillion. This figure exceeds the combined budgets of many European countries and is surpassed only by the economies of the United States and China. Importantly, this includes

The legalization of the gambling industry has turned gambling into a significant source of government revenue. Last year alone, the sector contributed more than UAH 17 billion in tax payments. However, these billions represent only the tip of the iceberg, as the regulated market currently accounts for just 20% of the industry. The remaining 80% operates on the black market, allowing billions in potential tax revenue to bypass the state budget every year. Read more

In professional discussions around gambling, artificial intelligence (AI) is often reduced to the role of a supporting tool, from customer support chatbots to marketing content generation and basic game recommendation systems. While important, this is merely an entry-level application that does little to fundamentally alter either a company’s cost structure or its resilience to growing regulatory and tax pressure. For markets such as Ukraine, where oversight is intensifying a

PlayCity continues to test innovative approaches aimed at addressing pressing issues in the gambling sector. This time, the regulator has introduced an interesting new approach to combating illegal gambling advertising. To support this effort, an online tool for submitting complaints has been created. Thanks to this tool, every concerned citizen can now join the fight against intrusive gambling advertisements. The introduction of an accessible and user-friendly complaint subm

The transfer of gambling market regulation under the authority of the Ministry of Digital Transformation has driven a number of trends in the industry. One of the most significant is the digitalization of interaction processes between the regulator, gambling operators, and players. In addition, such innovations also help more effectively monitor gambling behavior and prevent the spread of gambling addiction, writes Anton Kuchukhidze, Chairman of the Ukrainian Gambling Council

The transfer of gambling market regulation under the authority of the Ministry of Digital Transformation has sparked a number of trends in the industry. One of the most significant is the digitalization of interaction processes between the regulator, gambling operators, and players. In addition, such innovations also help more effectively monitor gambling behavior and prevent the spread of gambling addiction. Read more

Anton Kuchukhidze is a Ukrainian gambling industry expert and the Chairman of the Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC). He is actively involved in discussions surrounding gambling regulation, market transparency, responsible gaming, and the digital transformation of the sector in Ukraine. Kuchukhidze regularly contributes expert commentary on legislative reforms, taxation, anti-shadow market measures, and the development of a modern regulatory framework aligned with European stan

The transfer of gambling market regulation to the Ministry of Digital Transformation has driven a number of trends in the industry. One of the most significant is the digitalization of interaction processes between the regulator, gambling operators, and players. In addition, such innovations help more effectively track player behavior and prevent the spread of gambling addiction. The Committee on Digital Transformation has finally presented a working version of the first phas