Ukraine’s Gambling Safety Net Expands Rapidly as Self-Exclusion Requests Surge
Something is changing in Ukraine’s gambling market, and it shows up clearly in the latest figures.
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Data released by PlayCity shows that more than 3,000 people have asked to block themselves from gambling since January. That is a sharp rise from last year, when only about 300 requests were recorded over six months.
The monthly trend tells the same story. Regulators say they are now receiving close to 1,000 applications every month. Not long ago, that kind of number would have seemed unlikely.
A tool people are actually using
Self-exclusion has been part of Ukraine’s gambling framework for some time, but it is only now starting to see widespread use.
The process is simple. A player submits a request, and their name is added to a national register. From that point on, licensed operators are required to block access. The exclusion can last anywhere from six months to three years.
There is also a provision for family members to file a request, though those are limited to shorter periods.
The register itself has grown steadily and now includes more than 16,000 people. That suggests the system is no longer just a formality. It is being used in real situations by real players.
Enforcement efforts gathering pace
The rise in self-exclusion is happening alongside a broader push by regulators to clean up the market.
In April, PlayCity began working with YouTube to deal with illegal gambling content. Some smaller channels were taken down, along with at least one video from a much larger account with a significant audience.
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This is only part of a wider effort. During 2025, authorities blocked thousands of illegal gambling websites and shut down hundreds of social media accounts linked to unlicensed operators. Influencers have also come under scrutiny, with fines issued for promoting gambling outside the legal framework.
No free pass for licensed operators
The focus has not been limited to illegal activity. Companies operating within the legal market are also being checked more closely.
A recent case involved the removal of a licence connected to the operator behind Cosmolot. Investigators pointed to problems with payment methods, including the use of transfers that made it harder to track transactions properly.
Moves like this show that regulators are looking at the full picture, not just the black market.
What the numbers might mean
It is not easy to pin down a single reason behind the rise in self-exclusion requests.
On one side, it could suggest that more players are running into trouble. On the other, it may reflect growing awareness and easier access to protective tools.
Most likely, both factors are in play.
What seems certain is that self-exclusion is no longer a niche feature. It has become a visible part of how Ukraine’s gambling system works, and the recent surge shows that more players are willing to use it when needed.
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