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Ukraine has taken a significant step in tightening control over its online gambling market with the launch of a new national platform designed to detect, track, and block illegal casino websites. According to PlayCity, the state regulator responsible for oversight of the gambling sector, the system will automate the identification of illegal online casinos, helping authorities respond faster and more effectively to violations.
The platform can scan the internet to identify unlicensed operators, generate lists of mirrors and related domains used to bypass restrictions, and submit those addresses to providers for immediate blocking. Illegal casinos frequently create alternative domains to avoid enforcement, and the regulator says this new tool is designed to counter exactly that strategy by identifying new versions of banned sites in real time.
In addition to automated monitoring, the platform also provides direct access for Ukrainian users. Anyone can check whether an online casino operates legally by entering its domain into the system. If the website is not yet listed but appears to be functioning illegally, users can submit a report. The service also allows the public to file complaints against internet providers that fail to block already-banned gambling resources.
PlayCity emphasized that transparency is at the core of the initiative. The platform includes an option to download the full database of officially recognized illegal websites. This feature is intended to help providers act more quickly, while also giving citizens and businesses access to verified information. “This way, providers will be able to block access to them quickly, and the public will receive transparent information about their activities,” the agency stated.
PlayCity itself is a relatively new institution, established in March 2025 as the successor to the former Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries. The restructuring was part of a broader reform effort to strengthen regulatory oversight, increase accountability, and improve enforcement against illegal operators.
Since its creation, the agency has been active in policing the gambling sector. On August 4, it issued fines totaling 3.2 million UAH against eight licensed casinos for violations of state gambling regulations. Later in the month, on August 20, PlayCity announced a cooperation with Meta that led to the blocking of seven Instagram accounts. These accounts, according to the regulator, were systematically promoting illegal gambling services to Ukrainian users.
The new tracking platform is seen as an extension of this enforcement drive, giving both the state and the public tools to combat unauthorized gambling operations. Officials say the system will continue to evolve with additional features planned to enhance detection methods and streamline the reporting process.
With illegal online casinos remaining a persistent challenge, Ukraine’s government views this latest technological measure as a significant move toward protecting consumers, strengthening oversight, and ensuring that licensed operators comply with national laws.
