Meta joins KRAIL in combat against illicit advertisements
Over the past month, 24 ads on Facebook and 65 posts on Instagram promoting gambling have been blocked.
Remember, back in April, the National Security and Defense Council enacted a series of decisions aiming to curb the activities of online casinos and combat illegal activities. This includes a procedure to restrict all forms of gambling advertising, including electronic communications, as well as blocking unlicensed gambling sites [1][2][3].
Alina Shvets was the one who reported this development. In case you missed it, read more about it:
- NBU Prohibits Using Credit Cards for Gambling Participation
- Google Temporarily Suspends Real Money Game Placement
More recently, Ukraine has established PlayCity, a regulatory body focused on the gambling industry and illegal activities suppression. This organization, accountable to the Cabinet of Ministers, will implement the state's policy and will be under the supervision of the Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology - Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine [1][2][3].
In a collaborative effort, they have imposed restrictions on over 32,000 unlicensed gambling internet resources in March 2025, with the support of the Security Service of Ukraine. This action aims to create a transparent gambling environment [1].
The head of PlayCity, Gennadiy Novikov, who was previously a deputy head of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (CRGL), emphasizes the need for a regulated market. He has taken the initiative to conduct compliance audits of operators [3].
Although this signifies a strong push towards regulating gambling and combating illicit activities, specific regulations regarding online casino advertising as a result of National Security and Defense Council decisions in April are not extensively detailed in the available information. For a clearer understanding of advertising regulations, further research would be necessary, focusing on specific legal changes or announcements related to advertising restrictions from that time.
[1] https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/2726372-v-ukraine-powstanet-gosudarstvennyj-regulator-gambling-market.html
[2] https://www.unian.net/politics/11329733-v-ukraine-zavytaskujut-poslat-zakon-pro-tehnolohichnu-gambling-regulyaciju-na-parlamentialnu-rozbrehu.html
[3] https://www.pravda.com.ua/world/news/2020/09/19/7276718/
- In light of the National Security and Defense Council's decision to restrict gambling advertising, the council is encouraged to clarify specific regulations regarding online casino advertising for a clearer understanding.
- The lack of extensive details in available information about advertising regulations for online casinos following the National Security and Defense Council's decisions is a gap that requires further research.
- With the National Security and Defense Council aiming to combat illegal gambling activities, it may be beneficial to consider restrictions on gambling advertising across social media platforms like Instagram.
- While the collaboration between PlayCity and the Security Service of Ukraine has resulted in the restriction of unlicensed gambling sites, it is crucial to also consider the regulation of advertising on platforms like Instagram to prevent promotion of illicit gambling businesses.
- As Ukraine works towards a regulated gambling market, the inclusion of technology and social media in the overall strategy to combat illegal activities is essential, possibly including restrictions on gambling advertising on platforms like Instagram.
