In recent years, Ukraine has witnessed a significant crackdown on illegal gambling activities, spearheaded by the prosecutor general’s office in coordination with local law enforcement agencies.
This concerted effort has led to the blocking of approximately 2,500 websites believed to be supporting and hosting unlicensed gambling content over 2023 and 2024. The statistics provided by the office give insight into the extent of these operations and the substantial measures taken to curtail illegal gambling activities within the country.
Throughout 2024, up to April, the prosecutor general’s office has been actively involved in investigation procedures targeting over 450 suspected instances of unlawful gambling. These investigations have culminated in the courts receiving indictments against 72 individuals. Notably, of these charged, seven allegations implicated 68 members linked to organized crime groups in gambling-related violations.
Furthermore, during the same period, authorities documented 76 criminal cases concerning illegal gambling operations. The previous year, 2023, also saw a robust enforcement of gambling laws with the registration of 169 illegal gambling offences. Legal actions intensified with the issuance of 52 indictments that affected 97 individuals.
Law enforcement agencies conducted around 500 searches, which led to the seizure of over 7,000 gambling equipment items, predominantly electronic devices such as computers. Additionally, operations extended to 700 addresses suspected of engaging in illegal gambling, resulting in the suspension of activities at ten casino establishments. Efforts to dismantle criminal involvement in these illicit activities led to charges against 42 individuals linked to organized criminal groups.
The ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling also extended to the investigation of a sanctioned legal entity previously under the control of Russian Federation citizens. This entity is accused of conducting unauthorized gambling operations via the infrastructure of an international gambling operator’s office.
As these investigations progress, the Ukrainian legal system’s attention is also directed toward companies accused of operating illegal online casinos. An illustrative case currently under advisory involves the alleged legalization of significantly large sums—approximately UAH 4.8 billion—sourced from illegal online gambling activities. In parallel to these enforcement activities, Ukraine’s legislative apparatus has also been active.
The prosecutor general’s office’s announcement of the latest figures came shortly after the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, decided to dissolve the country’s gambling regulator, KRAIL. This decision, backed by 272 lawmakers, followed the Draft Law No 9256 tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov in 2023.
The law, which still awaits a second reading and presidential sign-off by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, could significantly reshape the regulatory landscape for gambling in Ukraine. The proposed legislative changes aim at tightening controls over gambling operations by introducing novel safeguarding tools to protect vulnerable groups from gambling harm and implementing a ban on gambling advertisements.
These developments signal a comprehensive approach towards managing and possibly eradicating the specter of illegal gambling, a move that aligns with broader efforts to uphold law and order and protect citizens from exploitation through unregulated gambling operations.
In sum, the Ukrainian government, through both legal reforms and rigorous law enforcement activities, is intensifying its campaign against illegal gambling. By blocking websites, prosecuting offenders, and contemplating significant regulatory revisions, the authorities demonstrate a firm commitment to cleanse the nation’s gambling landscape and shield society from the adverse effects of unlawful gambling practices.
News source: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/regulation/illegal-gambling-ukraine/
