As of September, the Ukrainian regulator PlayCity has issued 22 financial sanctions totalling over UAH 103.5m for illegal gambling advertising. A significant portion of these sanctions was imposed on influencers.
This cumulative total dates back to the start of PlayCity's operations, when it replaced the former regulator KRAIL. Of the total, UAH 36.3m came from seven decisions issued in 2026.
Local media obtained the figure from the regulator, noting that none of the influencers voluntarily paid the imposed sanctions, with many legally challenging them.
Recently, eight cases have been submitted to the State Enforcement Service. In three cases, the collection process is still ongoing; in another three cases, court orders have suspended enforcement. Finally, in two cases, enforcement documents have been returned because of court appeals.
Earlier this month, Ukraine transferred coordination of gambling regulator PlayCity directly to the Prime Minister as the country continues restructuring oversight of its gambling and lottery sector.
Under the changes, the agency remains a central executive authority implementing state policy for gambling and lotteries, but the Prime Minister will now coordinate its activities.
Previously, the Minister of Digital Transformation coordinated the regulator. The agency’s organisational structure will also require the Prime Minister's agreement.
Meanwhile, PlayCity recently proposed tighter controls on playing time and spend as part of its updated responsible gambling recommendations.
The proposed guidelines would require operators to monitor not only how much players spend but also how long they play, the length of breaks, changes to spending limits and signs of unusual gambling behaviour.
Ukraine’s gambling addiction strategy runs to 2035, alongside an operational plan covering 2027 to 2029
