Authorities are currently examining 96 cases of criminal activity involving individuals who have entered the country illegally.
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Illegal gambling has been on the radar in Ukraine this year, with a staggering 49 criminal cases being sent to court as reported by the press. The BEB, the authority responsible for monitoring such activities, has been quite active, blocking 1152 illicit websites and shutting down over 200 unauthorized gambling dens, mainly in Kyiv and its vicinity.
These underground establishments were usually hidden in the ground floors of residential buildings or separate non-residential premises, accessed only by pre-approved clients who had arranged a visit with the administrators. Some of these joints were part of larger networks.
As for the broader context, Ukraine has experienced notable shifts in the gambling landscape, with stricter regulations affecting both legal and illicit markets. For instance, the iBox Bank case, which came to light in 2024-2025, involved allegations of illegal operations linked to online casinos and money laundering of ₴5 billion from clandestine gambling operations.
Following this case, PlayCity took over as the gambling regulator in April 2025. Their mandate includes blocking illegal sites and imposing fines of up to ₴2.01 million. However, the inconsistency in enforcement has allowed many illegal operators to avoid penalties.
Interestingly, the stricter advertising rules aimed at curbing gambling harm in the legal market could potentially drive players towards the unlicensed platforms. The EU's experience suggests that an overregulation of legal gambling may contribute to the growth of black markets, reducing taxable revenue. Although specific figures for Ukraine’s losses are unavailable, recent discoveries of tax evasion cases, such as the ₴6 million case at a licensed company, hint at vulnerabilities in the system.
The rise in problem gambling registrations (+780 monthly entries in 2024) alongside the growth of black markets presents a dual challenge to both public health and fiscal stability. Enforcement gaps and judicial uncertainties are among the key challenges encountered in this battle.
Sources:- Alina Shvets
Additional Insights:- The iBox Bank case involved allegations of illegal operations linked to online casinos and money laundering of ₴5 billion from clandestine gambling operations.- Since April 2025, PlayCity replaced the CRG as the gambling regulator, gaining authority to block illegal sites and impose fines up to ₴2.01 million (~$54,000).- Excessive regulation of legal gambling may fuel black markets, reducing taxable revenue.- The stricter enforcement and advertising rules have raised concerns about their potential impact on driving players towards unlicensed platforms.
- Despite stricter regulations, illegal gambling persists in Ukraine, with over 49 criminal cases being sent to court this year, primarily aimed at unlicensed gambling dens in Kyiv and its surroundings.
- The unauthorized gambling dens, often hidden in residential buildings or separate premises, have been blocked by the BEB, with a record of 1152 illicit websites and 200 physical locations shut down.
- The iBox Bank case unveiled in 2024-2025 highlighted the issue of money laundering linked to online casinos, with ₴5 billion alleged to have been laundered from clandestine gambling operations.
- The rise in problem gambling registrations and the growth of black markets present a dual challenge for public health and fiscal stability in Ukraine, with enforcement gaps and judicial uncertainties being key challenges in this battle.
