Ukraine gambling regulator opens digital licensing portal
Businesses can now obtain Ukraine gambling licences online through the Diia portal.
Ukraine.- The Ukrainian gambling regulator PlayCity has announced that the new Diia portal is now accepting licence applications. The opening of the digital portal means businesses can apply for gambling licences online without the need for paper documents or in-person interaction.
Companies can apply for licences for casino, betting, slot machine halls and online poker offerings, as well as for B2B services. PlayCity, which was established just over a year ago, said applications can be created in the Diia electronic cabinet and signed using a qualified electronic signature (QES). The portal can automatically retrieve some data from state registers, including company data and information on owners and beneficiaries.
The regulator said it will review all submitted applications and communicate decisions on licence issue or rejection directly via Diia.
Acting Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Borniakov said on Telegram that the ministry, together with PlayCity, has drafted legislative amendments intended to strengthen entry checks for companies. This includes assessments of reputation, integrity and ownership structure. Companies must not have ties to Russia.
“Our goal is to create a transparent and controlled market in which digital tools ensure both convenience for businesses and trust in the state,” Borniakov said.
The move comes after PlayCity began a pilot of its new national Online Monitoring System for gambling in Ukraine. Two operators have been connected to the system as part of the pilot. The intention is for the system to be expanded to cover the entire market.
The system will track and record all gambling transactions nationwide, and both land-based and online operators will have to integrate with the system. The system will enable real-time monitoring of bets, payouts, and winnings.
Last month, it emerged that the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ministry of Defence are working on a system to restrict military personnel from accessing gambling platforms. The system will be implemented by PlayCity and will require operators to cross-check users against a list of military personnel.
Operators must already check gamblers against a registry of individuals barred from gambling. They will now also need to check against the list of military personnel and block access if a match is found. Authorities emphasise that operators will not be informed of a person’s military status; the system will only confirm whether restrictions apply, without revealing personal details.
