Ukraine’s gambling authority launches online licensing portal

(AsiaGameHub) –   Businesses are now able to get Ukrainian gambling licenses entirely online via the Diia portal.

Ukraine.- Ukraine’s gambling regulator PlayCity has announced that the new Diia portal is now accepting license applications. The launch of this digital portal means businesses can submit applications for gambling licences online, with no requirement for paper documents or in-person contact.

Companies can apply for licenses covering casino operations, betting, slot machine halls, online poker offerings, as well as B2B gambling services. PlayCity, which was founded just over a year ago, shared that applications can be created in the Diia electronic cabinet and signed using a qualified electronic signature (QES). The portal can automatically pull relevant data from state registries, including general company data and details on owners and beneficial owners.

The regulator confirmed it will review all submitted applications and send decisions on license approval or rejection directly through the Diia platform.

Acting Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Borniakov said on Telegram that the ministry, working alongside PlayCity, has drafted legislative amendments designed to strengthen entry screening for applicant companies. This includes assessments of reputation, business integrity and ownership structure, and all applicant companies are required to have no ties to Russia.

“Our goal is to build a transparent and regulated market where digital tools deliver both convenience for businesses and public trust in the state,” Borniakov said.

The launch of the new licensing portal follows PlayCity’s launch of a pilot for its new national Online Monitoring System for gambling in Ukraine. Two gambling operators have already been connected to the system as part of the pilot program, with plans to expand the system to cover the entire Ukrainian gambling market.

The system will track and log all gambling transactions across the country, and both land-based and online operators will be required to integrate with the system. The platform enables real-time monitoring of bets, payouts, and player winnings.

Last month, details emerged that the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ministry of Defence are developing a system to restrict military personnel from accessing gambling platforms. The system will be implemented by PlayCity, and will require operators to cross-check all users against a centralized list of military personnel.

Operators are already required to check gamblers against a registry of individuals banned from gambling. They will now also need to run checks against the list of military personnel and block access if a match is found. Authorities emphasize that operators will not be told a person’s military status; the system will only confirm whether restrictions apply, without revealing any personal details.