Ukraine regulator says over 1,000 illegal sites no longer operational
KRAIL highlighted the reduction in the number of website offering unauthorised games of chance as a successful result of its work and cooperation with law enforcement. Since the regulation of the market in 2020, Ukraine has attempted to reduce the number of illegal gambling operations active in the country.
Following the detection of unlicensed gambling operations, KRAIL transfers the information to the Bureau of Economic Security which then engages National Centre for Operational-Technical Management of Telecommunications Networks to IP block the domains.
The regulator’s list of the 1,895 unlicensed sites included a number of mirror sites that were put up in order to evade the Ukrainian government’s blocking attempts.
In a speech last week, KRAIL head Ivan Rudy spoke out to the importance of working with other state bodies to mitigate the growth of the illegal sector and effectively combat money laundering.
“Thanks to the legalisation of the field of gambling and effective work on the regulation of the market, gambling has become a powerful sector of the economy and directs billions to the state budget,” said Rudy.
“Together with the present colleagues from the state financial monitoring service, the ministry of finance, the National Bank, the ministry of justice, the state tax service, ARMA and other state bodies, we will continue to use all available mechanisms to ensure full financial security and overcome the shadow market in the field of gambling.”
Ukraine steps up efforts against illegal gambling
Since 2022, Ukraine has stepped up its gambling enforcement in reaction to the ongoing invasion of the country by armed forces of the Russian Federation.
In addition to the unlicensed operators, Ukraine has opted to sanction any business that continues to operate in Russia or Russian-controlled territory.
In March, Parimatch suspended all operations in the country after being subjected to sanctions. The operator strenuously denied accusations levelled against it, arguing that Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) “falsified” information.