Ukraine has introduced gambling advertising reform that was signed by its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June. It’s a change that updates the legislation on advertising to meet the requirements of the European Commission for Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
prohibits any advertising of “gambling games” on TV or radio between 6am and 11pm
Among a string of new rules, the decree prohibits any advertising of “gambling games” on TV or radio between 6am and 11pm, in all print media (except that devoted to gambling), and on goods intended for persons under the age of 21.
The reform also bans ads featuring people under the legal gambling age, and marketing that gives the impression gambling is an easy way to make money. The Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL) will be in charge of ensuring licensees are compliant.
The reform is one of a number of gambling proposals put forward by the Ukrainian government this year in a 2023 action plan. Among other suggestions, politicians have set out plans for a block on banks lending money to self-excluded gamblers. They have also even suggested replacing the nation’s gambling regulator, KRAIL.
Ukraine’s gambling sector has had a difficult time since the beginning of the nation’s war with Russia in 2022. Zelenskyy is clamping down on the industry to meet EU requirements and has taken action against any operators seen to have profited from Russian customers. Earlier this year, he banned sportsbook operator Parimatch from the country despite its charitable donations to the war effort.
The Ukrainian President legalized gambling in August 2020.
