Latest News
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)
Latest News
Jelly, True Rippers BGMI star, speaks out against cyberbullying: calls for a safer, more respectful ecosystem
Jelly, one of India’s leading Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) athletes, representing Infinix True Rippers, has issued an appeal to the esports community to stand against cyberbullying and threats in the esports ecosystem.
Following the BMPS 2025 Semifinals 2, where Jelly was performing with the sole goal of helping his team qualify for the grand finals, the player faced a wave of online hate, including abusive messages and death threats, all for eliminating a rival and his former team.
In a heartfelt statement, Jelly explained: “I am here to qualify just like every other team. If there is a fight against GodLike, I cannot just put my guns down and I also don’t know who is in front of me. Every team on this stage is here to play for victory. I wanted both teams to qualify, theirs and mine, but because of mistakes, neither of us made it. It is not because of one fight alone that things went wrong.”
Jelly also condemned the personal attacks he has faced and appealed for a safer esports ecosystem:
“No player deserves hate or threats for doing their job and competing. We put in countless hours to train, just like any athlete in any sport. We need to stand for fair, safe, and respectful esports, without fear of abuse.”
With esports continuing to grow as a mainstream sport in India, the need for stronger measures to protect players from cyberbullying and online harassment is more crucial than ever. Jelly emphasized that athletes, content creators, and fans deserve a positive, supportive environment to thrive.
The 24-year-old pro has pledged to use his platform to promote safe gaming practices and challenge toxic behavior within the gaming community.
Infinix True Rippers, the team Jelly represents, also extended their support to his statement, reiterating their commitment to building a culture of fairness, mental well-being, and respect in Indian esports.
The post Jelly, True Rippers BGMI star, speaks out against cyberbullying: calls for a safer, more respectful ecosystem appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Magency Life, WeClub Malaysia, and 2up.io sign on following Optimove’s regional launch
Optimove, the creator of Positionless Marketing and the #1 Player Engagement Platform in iGaming, today announced that three leading APAC iGaming operators: Magency Life, WeClub Malaysia, and 2up.io have selected Optimove as their player engagement platform. This follows the company’s formal launch of operations in Asia-Pacific and underscores its momentum in the region.
The announcement comes immediately after Optimove’s appointment of iGaming veteran Jack Wheeler to head the APAC region. Wheeler and team are driving regional growth and supporting operators in scaling player engagement strategies through data, personalization, and AI-driven orchestration.
“Our rapid adoption in the region is validation that iGaming operators in APAC are forward thinking, with a deep commitment to meaningful player engagement,” said Jack Wheeler, Senior Account Executive and Head of APAC. “Optimove’s ability to empower operators that embrace Positionless Marketing to increase marketing efficiency by 88% is ushering the APAC iGaming industry into an era where real-time marketing execution is scalable.”
Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform gives marketing teams the power to independently launch and optimize campaigns across channels without waiting on engineering, creatives, or analysts.
The company’s Optimove Ignite+ program, played a key role in accelerating adoption across the region. The comprehensive program is designed to accelerate growth for emerging iGaming and sports betting operators. It offers exclusive access to Optimove’s #1 Player Engagement Platform, along with expert CRM guidance, actionable insights, and proprietary industry benchmarks. Optimove Ignite+ empowers operators to enhance player engagement, improve marketing efficiency, and scale efficiently in a highly competitive market.
“These partnerships mark a major step forward in our mission to help operators across APAC build deeper, longer-lasting relationships with their players,” said Motti Colman, VP of Revenue at Optimove. “It underscores that Positionless Marketing, and its ability to free marketers to execute personalized player journeys without bottlenecks, is a key to growth in competitive markets. We’re honored to be chosen.”
With regional operators facing rising competition and evolving player expectations, Optimove provides the tools to act instantly on data, deliver personalized experiences, and drive lifetime value all from a single, AI-powered platform.
The post Optimove Ignites APAC Expansion with Leading iGaming Operators Joining Platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
PepsiCo brings back Pepsi and introduces Mountain Dew, energising the global gaming community at the world’s largest esports event.
The Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) today announced its renewed partnership with PepsiCo, establishing Pepsi and Mountain Dew as Main Partners of the Esports World Cup 2025, set to take place this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With Pepsi and Mountain Dew joining the EWC, both iconic beverages will fuel and energize the worldwide gaming community.
The renewed partnership marks the continued expansion of PepsiCo’s footprint in gaming and a bold step forward in delivering world-class experiences to fans in Riyadh and around the globe.
Following its debut as a Founding Partner in 2024, Pepsi returns to the Esports World Cup with an expanded presence across the 2025 festival. Activations will include immersive fan zones, large-scale product sampling, and co-branded content with artists, creators, and players.
Mountain Dew, joining as a Main Partner for the first time, is levelling up players’ game in EWC 2025 to EWC 2025. A long-standing supporter of gaming, the brand will deliver immersive on-site experiences, exclusive merchandise drops, and branded competitions that resonate from grassroots to pro. With a digital-first campaign themed “Dew levels up your game,” Mountain Dew will activate across KSA social channels, broadcast, and festival touchpoints — reinforcing its ambition to lead in gaming culture and power the next generation of players.
Both brands will feature prominently throughout the event — from the Opening Ceremony to hospitality areas — with branded fridges and product placement across esports venues, the Players’ Lounge, and festival grounds, uniting music, gaming, and entertainment to deliver high-energy fan experiences.
Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer at Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “We’re excited to have Pepsi and Mountain Dew back as Main Partners for the second year. These are brands that truly get gaming and its fans. With their support, this year’s Esports World Cup will be an even bigger celebration of community and creativity”
Returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24, 2025, the Esports World Cup will unite global gaming communities for a celebration of esports culture. With 25 tournaments across 24 games, 2,000 elite players, and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, the EWC will feature the largest prize pool in esports history, over $70 million. Fans can expect exclusive experiences, from high-stakes competition to live music, anime cafes, retro arcades, cosplay, and more, drawing millions of fans online and in person.
To learn more about EWC, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.
The post PepsiCo Returns as Main Partner of the Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Jelly, True Rippers BGMI star, speaks out against cyberbullying: calls for a safer, more respectful ecosystem
Optimove Ignites APAC Expansion with Leading iGaming Operators Joining Platform
PepsiCo Returns as Main Partner of the Esports World Cup 2025
Esports World Cup Foundation Expands India Presence with S8UL’s Inclusion in the EWCF Club Partner Program, BGMI Invitation to EWC 2025, and broadcast on one of India’s leading streaming platforms
Global release of Trophy Hunter – test your skills in the next evolution of hunting games
SOFTSWISS Developer Conference Highlights Engineering Strength in High-Load iGaming
HIPTHER Launches Responsible Gambling Assessment Tool Across Its Global Gaming Media Network
FC Bayern and Betano Sign Partnership Agreement
Uncover Ancient Riches in Ra’s Relics Bonanza™ from Booming Games
Elantil sets new company record with super-fast AvatarUX integration
-
Latest News3 months agoExclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame
-
Latest News2 months agoWeek 17/2025 slot games releases
-
Latest News2 months agoFortuna Partners with 2025 UEFA Under-21 EURO
-
Latest News3 months ago
Esports World Cup Foundation Confirms Full Game Lineup, Schedule, and Club Championship Rules for EWC 2025
-
Latest News2 months agoELA Games Receives Key Nomination at EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards
-
Latest News3 months ago
ACR POKER’S NEXT HIGH STAKES ADVENTURE TAKES PLAYERS TO MONTENEGRO FOR PRESTIGIOUS SUPER HIGH ROLLER SERIES
-
Latest News2 months agoBojoko.com Surpasses €100 Million in All-Time Deposits Milestone
-
Latest News2 months agoLeoVegas Group to Open a New Office in Leeds
You must be logged in to post a comment Login