The recent approach to online gambling regulation in Ukraine has been, to put it mildly, perplexing. Of course, we say this with the utmost sympathy for the very real struggles faced by Ukrainians in the ongoing conflict. Yes, they’re trying their best to protect their citizens and soldiers, but in their quest to shield innocent eyes from the spinning roulette wheels and flashing lights, they’ve somehow managed to create a regulatory landscape that’s a white-hot mess. It all started innocently enough with banning military personnel from gambling online. While concerns about potential security risks and the need to maintain focus during service are understandable, a blanket ban was a bit overly restrictive. Furthering this approach, the government then took the drastic step of dissolving its gambling regulator, Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL). This move eliminated any existing framework for overseeing the industry and ensuring responsible gambling practices, leaving a void in regulation. Adding to the complexity, over 2,500 websites with gambling content were blocked. This mass blocking of access, while intended to curb online gambling activity, may inadvertently push individuals towards unregulated and potentially unsafe platforms. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any weirder, the Ukrainian Gambling Council pops up and asks Google to lift its advertising ban… but only for their approved operators. Apparently, a sweeping ban is only a problem when it’s their guys getting blocked. The hypocrisy is strong with this one. Ultimately, Ukraine’s gambling regulations serve as a cautionary tale: even with the best intentions, overregulation can backfire and create more problems than it solves. Perhaps a less heavy-handed approach would have been wiser. As Ukraine navigates this bureaucratic maze, we can only hope they find a more balanced path, both in gambling regulation and in resolving the ongoing conflict. WALL OF SHAME Ukrainian Gambling Council Phone illustration by vector_sign / Shutterstock GPWAtimes.org 68
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