UGC, or the Ukrainian Gambling Council, has appealed to Google to stop blocking ads from licensed Ukrainian gambling organizers. This action, they argue, does not align with current legislation. The ad restrictions lead to losses for both businesses and the Ukrainian state budget. Additionally, they benefit illegal operators by allowing them to profit.
Fighting illegal online gambling advertising is an important component of counteracting the development of the shadow gambling market. Nonetheless, over the previous year, an unbalanced policy in this regard has led to extremely negative consequences. Search engines have begun blocking all ads related to the activities of licensed gambling organizers in Ukraine. This includes those with established and stable domain addresses in the Ukrainian internet segment. Yet, illegal operators have hardly felt the effects of the bands. They can easily change the names of their websites and move from one domain to another in different jurisdictions.
Google currently classifies Ukraine as a country where all forms of gambling, except lotteries, are prohibited. It also blocks advertising mainly from legal companies. This situation leads to negative consequences, as well as the expansion of the illegal services market. Licensed companies have acquired state licenses as well as launched marketing campaigns. This includes sponsorship of sports competitions, yet they cannot legally advertise their services online. In result to this, companies lose customers and profits. On the other hand, state loses taxes.
The UGC or Ukrainian Gambling Council is a non-governmental organization that unites licensed gambling organizers. The UGC has once again appealed to the management of Google’s regional office in Ukraine, specifically addressing the Director of Google LLC and Tetiana Lukyniuk, General Director of Google Ukraine. The appeal requests the lifting of current restrictions and the opportunity to officially advertise gambling services within Ukraine through Google. This step aims to address the situation and adjust the prohibition system to prevent further losses for businesses and state revenue.
