PlayCity is Ukraine’s state gambling regulator. It hit two gambling operators with financial sanctions. The sanctions were for violating the law governing interactions with the agency. The regulator’s press service confirmed the information.
According to the regulator, LLC “Casino.ua” and LLC “Favbet” each received two fines for their respective violations. The amounts imposed were ₴400,000 and ₴1.2 million per violation. PlayCity emphasized that it responds to every violation and all citizen inquiries, ensuring that gambling operators comply with the rules. The regulator said this approach is part of broader efforts. It aims to build a legal, safe, and responsible gambling market in Ukraine.
This is not the first time PlayCity has issued fines. In October of the previous year, it fined GorillaBet, operated by the Gorilla company, ₴400,000 for similar regulatory breaches.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted Law No. 9256-d on December 4 of the past year. The law enabled the liquidation of the previous regulator, KRAIL, and the creation of PlayCity. It strengthened oversight of the gambling market and formally abolished KRAIL, the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the law on January 4.
The government established PlayCity as a state agency under the Ministry of Digital Transformation on March 21. Four days later, the Cabinet approved KRAIL’s liquidation and transferred its powers to PlayCity. They appointed Hennadiy Novikov, the former deputy head of KRAIL, as its leader. In his previous role, Novikov restricted illegal online casinos, blocked more than 4,500 unlicensed sites, and conducted compliance checks that generated nearly ₴18 million in fines.
PlayCity officially began operations on June 2, 2025. Its launch marks the start of Ukraine’s new regulatory framework, aimed at creating a safer and fully legal gambling environment.
