Ukraine Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Sites

Blocking Unlicensed Casino Sites

The commission highlighted the negative impact of these illegal operations and instructed electronic communication service providers to block these sites using their Domain Name System (DNS) servers within three days of the order.

The sites flagged for operating without a license included 888starz.bet, Cosmobet.one, Astekbet.com, and several others.

Implementation of Blocking Orders

The commission’s directive emphasized that the owners of the listed sites must ensure access is closed within the stipulated timeframe.

Notably, Cloudflare Inc and Melbikomas UAB were specifically mentioned as the hosting providers for Cosmobet and Astekbet sites. This move is part of a broader effort, with KRAIL having blocked up to 371 illegal gambling websites in June alone.

Continuous Efforts Despite Political Changes

Despite a parliamentary vote in April to dissolve KRAIL, citing the harm caused by the gambling business to Ukrainian society and the military, the commission continues to function.

Between April and May, KRAIL, in cooperation with Ukraine’s Security Service, issued over 1,000 orders to limit access to illegal gambling domains and subdomains.

This ongoing enforcement underscores KRAIL’s commitment to regulating the gambling industry in Ukraine effectively.

Surge in Self-Exclusion Registrations

Ukraine’s gambling commission has reported a significant increase in the number of individuals joining the national self-exclusion register, with a 139% surge in new entries during the first half of 2024.

The total number of self-excluded players rose from 4,585 at the end of 2023 to 7,874 by July 1st. A large majority of the new sign-ups, 87%, were men, and 41 individuals were added to the register at the request of their relatives.