Citizens will have access to an online complaints system across digital, broadcast, and public advertising channels
Ukraine’s gambling regulator, PlayCity, has introduced an online reporting system for consumers to flag illegal gambling ads.
The new tool will allow audiences to record suspected violations and submit them to the PlayCity team to review “without unnecessary steps and paper procedures”. [machine translated]
The form, which is available on the PlayCity website in the ‘For Citizens’ section, and complaints can be entered relating to ads across most channels including social media, website display, TV, radio, as well as out-of-home (OOH).
The aim of the new system, according to PlayCity director Hennadiy Novikov, is to quickly and efficiently identify illegal operators and reduce the reach of unlicensed gambling brands and offshore regulators targeting Ukrainian consumers, Mundovideo reports.
PlayCity will pass on the information to law enforcement agencies if they cannot locate those responsible for illegal content. Once those responsible are identified, they could face a fine for illegal gambling, which currently stands at ₴5,188,200 (roughly £87,000).
Time sensitive content such as social media stories may be captured and downloaded so that specialists can assess the content even once it has disappeared from the platform.
Since being established in March 2025, PlayCity has set out to strengthen the regulatory oversight of Ukraine’s gambling sector – collecting almost ₴80mn (over £1,340,000) in fines related to illegal ads.
Just last month, PlayCity blocked 42 social media pages with illegal gambling advertising, and nearly 300 illegal gambling sites were discovered.
“Such resources operate outside the legal framework, are unlicensed, do not adhere to the principles of responsible gaming, and pose risks to players,” the regulator said.
“Blocking the illegal segment is one of the agency’s important areas of work. The fewer such sites remain accessible, the more protected players are.” [machine translated]
