Ukraine’s gambling regulator has announced a tender to develop software that will automatically restrict military personnel from accessing gambling platforms.
Ukraine first introduced a ban on military personnel visiting gambling establishments and participating in online gambling in April 2024, during martial law.
The regulator is now seeking to strengthen enforcement of these restrictions through new technological solutions.
PlayCity has announced a tender to develop a system that will automatically determine a user’s status and block military personnel from accessing gambling services.
According to the regulator, the system will operate using Trembit, Ukraine’s state data-exchange platform.
At the first stage, the system will check information in the Register of Persons with Restricted Access to Gambling before cross-referencing it with the State Register of Military Personnel. Based on the results of these checks, the system will determine whether a user is eligible to access a gambling website.
The system is currently undergoing testing. The software is expected to be launched once the trial period is completed, which is scheduled to take place by 24 December 2026.
The ban on military personnel participating in gambling was introduced as part of broader measures aimed at reducing the negative impact of online gambling.
Other requirements introduced at the same time included restrictions on gambling advertising, a ban on operators registering multiple accounts for a single player, and mandatory spending limits.
A Year Later
PlayCity was established in April 2025 to regulate Ukraine’s gambling industry after the Cabinet of Ministers raised concerns about the potential economic and national security risks posed by the sector.
Since its establishment, the regulator has introduced the State Online Monitoring System, designed to improve oversight of licensed operators and increase market transparency.
PlayCity is also stepping up efforts to combat the illegal gambling market. As part of these efforts, the regulator is cooperating with platforms such as YouTube and Kick to block illegal gambling advertising.
Earlier this month, PlayCity released the second part of a study showing that Ukraine’s channelisation rate stands at 84%. At the same time, one in five respondents said they knew friends who use unlicensed gambling websites.
According to the Ukrainian Association of Gambling Operators, Ukraine’s legal gambling market generated approximately UAH 59 billion ($1.43 billion) in 2025.
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