Efforts to shut down illegal online casino sites in Ukraine are lagging behind the rapid spread of unlicensed operators, according to Oleksandr Kogut, president of the Association of Casino Operators of Ukraine.
In a recent interview, Kogut described the situation as a game of “cat and mouse,” where authorities are unable to keep up with the constant emergence of new illegal platforms.
Kogut highlighted that the state’s current blocking mechanisms are too slow and lack the technical sophistication needed to permanently disable illegal gambling sites. As soon as one site is taken offline, another appears, often using different domain addresses or hosting locations to evade enforcement.
The association leader called on the government to adopt more effective real-time blocking tools and legal frameworks that would allow for faster closures. He argued that delays in blocking illegal activity allow unlicensed casinos to continue to steal players and revenue from the regulated market.
Industry stakeholders also note that the shadow gambling market remains significant, with about half of online gambling activity occurring outside the legal system. The lack of effective enforcement not only undermines consumer protection efforts, but also leads to a significant loss of tax revenues that could otherwise support public services.
Kogut’s comments highlight the ongoing challenges in Ukraine’s regulatory landscape as authorities work to strengthen oversight and modernize controls to better combat illegal online gambling.
