Ukraine’s Gambling Market: Outlook for 2026

The previous year was marked by intense upheaval for the Ukrainian gambling permit holders. The local entertainment sector was thrust into the spotlight by a major scandal involving the state’s former gaming regulatory body (UGLC). The arrest of the authority’s head, Ivan Rudyi, and the court rulings in the Pin-Up case further heightened scrutiny.

A notable achievement in 2025 was the establishment of PlayCity, a new regulator that consolidated compliance and oversight responsibilities. The Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT) took charge of the organisation’s technological infrastructure. Consequently, the previous year defined the core areas that will shape the market’s trajectory in 2026.

State Online Monitoring System: Progress in This Direction

After a short spell of relative calm, the domestic entertainment sphere has slipped back into legal ambiguity, following the appointment of Mykhailo Fedorov, the Minister of Digital Transformation, as Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister. The identity of his replacement in the previous role remains unconfirmed.

Despite the personnel reshuffle, previously launched initiatives are moving forward. PlayCity’s head, Gennady Novikov, has stated that the country’s online monitoring system has successfully undergone final testing and is prepared for operational deployment.

The platform’s official rollout is expected in the early months of 2026. Once live, certified companies will have a 6-month period to integrate their portals with the centralised tracking hub.

New Rules for Ukraine's Lottery Vertical

The application window for raffle licences closed on December 29th, 2025. All 3 incumbent niche operators submitted their documentation on time.

Among these companies are:

• the UNL;
• Patriot;
• MSL.

At present, the government caps the number of lottery permits nationwide at 3, but that limit may be removed. Natalia Denikeieva, the MDT’s Deputy Minister for Digital Economy Development, has confirmed intentions to revise the relevant law, which has not been updated in more than a decade.

Regulatory amendments will also touch the technical side of operations: authorities are actively discussing the introduction of obligatory QR codes on all printed and digital tickets, enabling consumers to verify draws’ legality and trace products’ origin independently.

Self-Exclusion System and Licence Digitalisation

Let us summarise the principal developments and concepts in these areas:

1. Upcoming enhancements. In early January, Mr Novikov revealed planned upgrades to the self-exclusion system, which enables users to block their own access to gambling. The redesign promises a more intuitive interface and stronger protection of personal data. The registry currently lists roughly 12,000 individuals, and wider public support for the update could drive a significant rise in self-restriction requests.
2. Auxiliary assistance. Earlier this year, it was reported that licence applications may be accepted via the state e-service Diia. At the same time, this option will function with certain limitations and will be available exclusively to specific categories of business activity.
3. Technical modifications. Under the proposed procedural changes, applicants will upload documents directly to Diia, thereby removing the necessity for physical paperwork. However, licence decisions, approvals or refusals, will remain the responsibility of PlayCity’s team and will not be automated.

Promotion of Gambling Services: More Rigorous Control

Oversight of gaming advertising has tightened considerably. Restrictions on influencer campaigns are already reshaping the landscape: public figures are exercising greater caution and showing a reduced willingness to collaborate with niche operators.

This trend is expected to intensify throughout 2026. In such an environment, providers and business owners will need to revise their marketing strategies and explore alternative ways to maintain brand visibility.

Technological Trajectory of the Sector’s Development

Stricter standards and new responsibilities, combined with the shrinking availability of conventional promotional channels, are forcing entrepreneurs to redirect their priorities. As a result, companies are now placing greater emphasis on operational efficiency and the quality of service delivery.

In this context, industry analysts foresee rising demand for B2B certificates. Such dynamics are likely to heighten rivalry among niche brands and broaden the spectrum of technological solutions available in the market.

The Main Things About the Ukrainian Gambling Sphere in 2026

The state is gradually yet confidently following the lead of premier European regulators, adopting the most effective practices and analysing changes. The optimisation of the internal supervisory framework is making the national gambling sphere more transparent, sustainable, and secure.

In 2026, the following rules and requirements will reshape business owners’ approach to their operations in the domestic sector:

• a streamlined licensing process;
• broadened and refined self-exclusion system instruments;
• enhanced financial control due to the launch of the monitoring platform;
• tighter oversight of gambling services advertising with influencer involvement.