PlayCity, Ukraine’s gambling regulator, has launched an online complaints tool that lets citizens report suspected illegal gambling advertising across digital and traditional media. The system covers social media, websites, television, radio, outdoor placements, and other public locations, and it archives submitted material at the moment of reporting.

The tool arrives as Ukraine steps up enforcement under a stricter regulatory framework introduced through Law No. 9526d. In 2026, the statutory administrative fine for illegal gambling advertising stands at UAH5.19 million (around €130,000), while PlayCity says it has already issued nearly €2,000,000 in related penalties since the regulator began operating 11 months ago.
 

Public Reporting Mechanism

Users who file a complaint must identify the platform involved, provide a direct link to the advertisement, and upload supporting evidence, such as screenshots or videos. 

PlayCity designed the system to preserve content that may disappear quickly, including social media stories, by capturing and downloading it when the complaint is submitted.

That approach allows the regulator to review material even if the original post is later removed or expires. PlayCity’s staff first screens each complaint to assess whether the reported advertisement breaches Ukraine’s gambling advertising rules.
 

Enforcement Options

If PlayCity determines that an advertisement is illegal, the regulator can request that the content be removed from major digital platforms such as Meta, Google, TikTok, YouTube, Viber, and Twitch. Repeated distribution of unlawful gambling ads can lead to social media pages being blocked. When authorities identify the responsible party, PlayCity can impose fines; if official state registers do not confirm the identity of the ad’s author, the regulator can refer the case to law enforcement agencies.

PlayCity is the state body now responsible for regulating gambling and lotteries following a recent regulatory restructure. 

The new complaints form part of PlayCity’s broader digitalisation programme, which is intended to strengthen oversight of Ukraine’s gambling market after the country legalised gambling in 2020.

 

 

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