Ukraine’s gambling regulator PlayCity has issued 250 licences during its first year in operation, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing effort to modernise and strengthen oversight of the regulated gaming market. The achievement comes as the agency continues to replace the functions previously carried out by the now-dissolved KRAIL regulator.
Established as part of Ukraine’s broader digital transformation agenda, PlayCity was created to streamline licensing, improve transparency and reduce bureaucracy through a technology-driven regulatory framework. The agency operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Digital Transformation and has been tasked with rebuilding confidence in the country’s gambling sector.
According to PlayCity, the 250 licences issued across various gambling verticals reflect strong demand from operators seeking to enter or continue operating in the regulated Ukrainian market. The regulator has introduced stricter compliance standards, including checks on ownership structures, business reputation, responsible gambling measures and the absence of links to Russia.
The licensing programme forms part of a wider regulatory overhaul that also includes the rollout of the State Online Monitoring System, a platform designed to provide authorities with real-time oversight of gambling activity and operator compliance. The system is expected to become a central tool for monitoring transactions, tax obligations and market integrity.
Since replacing KRAIL, PlayCity has also stepped up enforcement actions against non-compliant operators, including licence revocations and substantial financial penalties. Authorities view the regulator’s first year as a key step toward creating a more transparent and accountable gambling environment while generating additional revenue for the state budget.
PlayCity is expected to continue expanding its digital licensing and monitoring capabilities as Ukraine advances its broader strategy of modernising public administration and strengthening regulation of the gambling industry.