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Ukrainian gambling: to be, or not to be, that is (already not) the question
Reading Time: 4 minutes
After significant and protracted deliberations, Ukraine finally legalized gambling activities back in 2020. The Law on the governance of the organization and carrying out of gambling activities became effective almost half a year ago. As of the date of writing this article, already 3 licenses have been granted to online casinos for their gambling activities to be performed in the future.
There is still a number of issues and, despite all efforts, the gambling market seems to be standstill except for the mentioned minor movements by local online players obtaining licenses. As of now, it seems that no big international market players are entering the newly born Ukrainian gambling market. So, let`s discuss whether it is all going somewhere and if that somewhere is in the right direction.
Ukrainian gambling market background
To see a broader picture, one should unveil the historical background of the current gambling market legalization in Ukraine. First of all, it’s worth mentioning that the Ukrainian gambling market has been actually reopened, but not developed from scratch.
The previously operating Ukrainian gambling market was not so much a success story as one might imagine. There were no huge and fancy casinos like in Las Vegas, but rather a market consisting of different establishments, some of them even legal and compliant. They were shut down by decisive moves of the state authorities in 2009 due to the lack of comprehensive regulations and effective control over their execution, which irreversibly led to negative consequences. As a result, the mentioned flaws contributed to the growth of black and grey gambling services markets. Moreover, the lack of strict rules and their enforcement also formed a public opinion that the gambling market was something antisocial and dirty. Ukrainians still remember well those times when slot machine halls literally surrounded public transport stops and were filled with some not exactly wealthy people giving up their last money in pursuit of a snatch.
At that time, Ukrainian authorities decided to use muscles instead of brains and banned all gambling activities instead of introducing reasonable regulation and taking the situation under control. Thus, starting from mid-2009, all gambling operators were forced to leave the wild, but rapidly growing market. However, as one may guess, the Ukrainian gambling ban was not far from the Prohibition in the United States in terms of its results. Ukrainian gambling market simply went undercover, depriving the Ukrainian budget of significant contributions previously made by the industry.
What are the current challenges for the Ukrainian gambling market?
Not so long ago, a logical step was taken by Ukraine and the gambling activities ban was lifted. However, same as in the case with the Ukrainian land market, things are not perfectly smooth and there are still some obstacles in place.
For instance, while three online casinos have already paid for and received licenses, they still can`t fully realize and enjoy the rights of an online casino operator. The reason is that the necessary regulations applicable to certification of the equipment to be used in casinos haven`t been adopted yet. Additionally, there is still a certain lack of clarity in terms of taxation of gambling activities. Some say that a specific volume-based tax will be introduced. However, considering that the licensed operators can`t get any revenues in the absence of the regulations to certify their equipment, the issue of taxation seems to be too far to think about.
Apart from that, one should note that this time Ukrainian government decided to seriously take advantage of the gambling market by imposing comparatively high license fees, financial thresholds, and location requirements (for offline casinos). For instance, the license fee is around USD 1.1 million for online casinos (for 5 years) and USD 10 million for offline casinos if based in Kyiv (additional equipment fees will also apply). Moreover, a gambling operator must have a share capital of at least USD 1.1 million and a deposit account or Ukrainian bank guarantee for USD 1.2 million.
As to the location requirements, under the new legislation, casinos can be opened only at 5-star hotels with at least 150 rooms in Kyiv, 4- and 5-star hotels with at least 100 rooms in other regions, out-of-town resorts with a total area of at least 10,000 m2 or “special gaming zones” within territories to be further defined by the Ukrainian government.
Under the new law, various restrictive regulations of a similar character also apply to betting, slot machine halls, and online poker activities.
Opportunities and additional obligations for Ukrainian gambling operators
It is worth mentioning that there are some opportunities for the new market players. The new law provides that such players may obtain investment licenses. Holders of such licenses will be exempt from license fees for 10 years if they build a new 5-star hotel with at least 200 rooms in Kyiv or 150 rooms in another Ukrainian region.
Ukrainian gambling operators will be also obliged to follow certain gambling standards and policies aimed at preventing gambling addiction. The government plans to launch a state-owned online monitoring system. The system will perform a real-time oversight and control of the Ukrainian gambling industry.
To sum it all up, it’s an important aspect that different people might make different conclusions as to the above. Pessimists might claim that this time, the gambling market launch in Ukraine has little chance to become interesting for the largest international market players. However, if evaluated by opportunists, entering the Ukrainian gambling market is definitely worth a shot.
High financial thresholds and strict regulations ensure that the market will not slip into putting dirty slot machines centered around metro stations. It is more likely that the Ukrainian gambling industry will at least somehow resemble what one may observe in wealthy locations like Las Vegas. This puts confidence into the minds of potential investors because the government will not be in a position to cut its own leg by banning a well-governed and budget-supporting industry.
The readiness of the local online casino market players to pay for the licenses which can`t be yet used proves the above statement to be true. It also leads to a conclusion that gambling investors should already be on their way to Ukraine in order to be in a time when the market starts to operate and extreme profits flow into the hands of the few pioneers.
This article has been created with the help of Oleksandr Aleksyeyenko (Partner at Marchenko Partners) and Sviatoslav Henyk (Senior Associate at Marchenko Partners)
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Gamblers Connect Named Finalist in Three Categories at the International Gaming Awards 2026
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Gamblers Connect has been officially shortlisted in three categories at the International Gaming Awards 2026, one of the most respected global recognitions within the gaming and iGaming sectors.
This announcement marks an important milestone for the company, reflecting its continued growth, consistent industry presence and long-term commitment to responsible and high-quality affiliate operations.
Gamblers Connect has been shortlisted in three distinct categories: Affiliate (Company) of the Year, recognising its public-facing affiliate excellence; the Great Place to Work Award (Operator), highlighting the strength of its internal culture; and the Safer Gambling Award, which reflects the company’s commitment to responsibility standards across its operations.
The 19th annual International Gaming Awards will be held on 18th January during ICE Barcelona. It is regarded as one of the leading global recognitions for excellence across the gaming industry. Each year, the IGA highlights companies that show innovation, quality, responsibility and meaningful contribution to the sector.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “Being shortlisted across three very different categories shows our strength on multiple levels. It recognises our public-facing work, the culture behind it and the responsibility standards that guide everything we do.”
The post Gamblers Connect Named Finalist in Three Categories at the International Gaming Awards 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Spinomenal has expanded its successful Mythology series with the launch of Mega Zeus Hold & Hit 3×3. Set among the golden columns of Mount Olympus, Mega Zeus transports players to the realm of the mighty god of thunder.
Galaxsys proudly announces the launch of its latest slot game, Guardians of Glory, an action-packed game that combines medieval warfare, innovative slot mechanics, and massive win potential for players worldwide. Blending classic slot mechanics with high-octane action, Guardians of Glory is a 5-reel, 3-row cascading line slot designed to keep players on the edge of their seats.
Evoplay has launched Imperial Relics: Three Pots, a vibrant new slot inspired by the grandeur, treasures, and mysticism of Imperial China. Players are transported to a golden city overseen by a wise emperor, where sacred relics and intricate symbols adorn the reels.
Relax Gaming has enhanced a fan-favourite with the launch of Snake Arena 2: Kinesis Unleashed. The futuristic, feature-packed 6×4 ways slot pits Slayers against Snake in an entertaining game experience that offers huge win potential with a maximum prize of 50,000x bet.
Get ready for the slot event of the year, from Booming Games, in Black Friday Cart Craze, where every spin feels like a mega sale! Load up your carts to trigger the Coin Craze collect feature or the Super Sale Spins, where everything must go. Eliminate Minor symbols and upgrade Major symbols to increase your shopping spree haul!
In Nolimit City’s latest release, Bizarre, peek into the window of Dr. Bizarre’s wild experiments. This slot falls under the eccentric category of Nolimit City slots such as Munchies, Outsourced and Ugliest Catch. The farm has been… busy. Bizarre plays out on a 4-4-4-4-4 layout across 5 reels, with a number of variations of xSplit®.
Push Gaming has launched its latest seafaring adventure, Sea of Spirits, a highly anticipated slot developed in collaboration with CasinoGrounds, one of the industry’s most influential community-driven streaming platforms. Set in a haunting underwater realm where ghostly captains guard the treasures of the deep, Sea of Spirits immerses players in a world of mystery, risk, and reward.
Play’n GO’s Stadium of Riches captures the raw energy of the world’s favourite sport, placing players at the heart of the action in this high-stakes football showdown. Stadium of Riches doesn’t just replicate the spirit of football – it elevates it.
Blueprint Gaming is kicking off the festive season with the launch of Saint Nicked 3 Present Tense, the first of three Christmas-themed releases that see some of its most iconic series reimagined with charming festive visuals, enriched graphics and immersive seasonal experiences designed to delight operator player bases worldwide.
BGaming invites players to wrap up warm and explore an icy kingdom in Divine Queen: Heart of Ice. Watch the wins snowball in this Olympus-genre pay-anywhere game. Divine Queen: Heart of Ice pulls inspiration from the iconic Bonanza gameplay mechanics, repackaging them in a winter retro style.
This holiday season, Santa’s traded in his sleigh for a private jet and touched down on the Vegas Strip! Santa in Vegas delivers festive fun and flashy riches in a vibrant 5×4 slot packed with luxurious symbols, glittering lights and that famous Booming Games excitement.
Get ready to gather the family around the table and celebrate the harvest season in style in Extra Win X Thanksgiving – the new holiday-themed twist on Swintt’s classic retro slot formula where landing full table wins can lead to massively multiplied payouts.
TaDa Gaming has released Clover Ladybug, a vibrant slot where expanding Wilds, playful multipliers and the lucky ladybug herself lead the way to exciting 1500x wins. Set on a 5×3 grid with 20 paylines, Clover Ladybug transforms the simple joy of nature into a lively slot experience.
The post Week 47/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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HIPTHER’s European Gaming Media Joins Forces with Frank Gaming in a Strategic Media Partnership
Reading Time: 2 minutes
HIPTHER’s flagship media outlet, European Gaming Media, is delighted to announce a new Media Partnership with Frank Gaming – the strategic nexus connecting game providers, casino operators, and industry leaders worldwide.
This collaboration marks a shared mission to accelerate partnerships, amplify exposure, and empower sustainable growth within the global iGaming ecosystem. Through this agreement, Frank Gaming will feature HIPTHER’s renowned international events across its platform, providing its expansive network with direct access to some of the industry’s most influential conferences.
In exchange, European Gaming Media will provide ongoing editorial and social media coverage for Frank Gaming’s key announcements, while Frank Gaming representatives will receive complimentary passes to attend HIPTHER’s premium events, including the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, European Gaming Congress (HIPTHER Warsaw Summit), and the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit.
A Partnership Built on Shared Vision and Reach
Frank Gaming serves as a powerful connector within the iGaming ecosystem, driving measurable results through strategic networking, exclusive events, and actionable industry intelligence. Their ecosystem features over 500 verified suppliers, 250 active operators, 1,200 successful connections, and 50+ exclusive events – all designed to foster collaboration and growth.
The platform’s comprehensive toolkit includes a Supplier Directory, Strategic Networking, Industry Intelligence, Exclusive Events, Custom Marketing, and Strategic Advisory services, making it a go-to destination for gaming businesses seeking to scale with purpose.
As a leading media voice reaching over 300,000 monthly readers, European Gaming Media delivers trusted news, interviews, and insights across gaming, betting, esports, and tech innovation. The partnership strengthens both brands’ commitment to building bridges and driving excellence across the gaming value chain.
Statements from the Partners
Zoltán Tűndik, Co-founder of HIPTHER, commented: Our collaboration with Frank Gaming is a natural fit, rooted in a shared commitment to strengthening the core of the iGaming industry. We are focused on delivering crucial insights, and Frank Gaming excels at creating actionable connections. With a joint effort we can offer immense value, ensuring that the critical discussions taking place at our HIPTHER events are amplified across their robust network of suppliers and operators.
Julian Arabadjiyski, Frank Gaming strategic advisor added: Partnering with HIPTHER is a strategic step forward in our mission to connect innovation with opportunity across the global iGaming landscape. HIPTHER brings industry-shaping insights and global reach through their events and media, while Frank Gaming empowers suppliers and operators to turn those insights into growth. Together, we’re bridging knowledge and execution ensuring the right voices are heard and the right connections are made.
About Frank Gaming
Frank Gaming is the strategic nexus connecting game providers, casino operators, and industry leaders across the global iGaming ecosystem. With over 500 verified suppliers, 250 operators, and 1,200 successful connections, the platform accelerates partnerships and drives growth through strategic networking, exclusive events, and targeted intelligence.
About European Gaming Media
Part of HIPTHER, European Gaming Media (EuropeanGaming.eu) is one of the most trusted publications in the iGaming and gambling sector, reaching more than 300,000 readers monthly. The outlet delivers daily news, in-depth interviews, regulatory updates, and event coverage, shaping the future of gaming and betting across Europe.
About HIPTHER
HIPTHER is a global brand dedicated to connecting people and businesses through innovative media, PR, and events. With leading conferences and media outlets spanning Gaming, Tech, and Fintech, HIPTHER empowers industries through connection, collaboration, and creativity.
The post HIPTHER’s European Gaming Media Joins Forces with Frank Gaming in a Strategic Media Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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