Eastern Europe
Parimatch: The future’s bright for Ukraine
As the betting industry in Ukraine prepares for major legislative progress in the first quarter of 2020, Maksym Liashko, Partner at Parimatch, one of the leading online betting brands in the CIS region, explores the proposed regulations, the country’s ‘progressive’ emphasis on virtual and eSports, and why the term gambling could be set to change in the coming decade…
Ukraine is set to enter a new age in 2020 as the country’s Cabinet of Ministers prepares to consider the latest gambling reform bill in mid-January following a request for revisions to the text in December. Liashko, who is responsible for legal matters at Parimatch, is positive about the prospect of gaming regulation in the region stating he believes the law will be fully adopted within the coming two months.
The previous version of the draft law proposed a new license system for betting operators with limited numbers across casinos, bookmakers, and only 10 for online operators, covering both sports betting and online casinos. Commenting on possible amendments to this in the most recent version of the bill, Liashko said: “According to the MPs` discussions during the round tables, there will be no restrictions on the number of licenses for a particular type of activity, with the exception of lotteries since this type of activity is defined as state lotteries. Here the choice is made directly of the lottery operator. And the remaining sectors won’t be limited by the number of licenses. The draft law is expected to be re-voted on first reading in January.”
If the new bill is passed, any new licenses will be available for every sector excepting lotteries and slots which will be obtained through electronic auctions via a project established by the Cabinet of Ministers, which Liashko believes is fair in guaranteeing the best operators success in a new market. “In the last agreed edition, which was submitted and presented in parliament by deputies (a certain agreed compromise document), a competitive procedure was established for operators of the state lottery, as well as electronic auctions for operators of slot machines,” he explained. “For all the others, any restrictions on the number of licenses and auctions were cancelled. In general, we believe that the electronic auction is a fair method of distributing the limits of slot machines in the country. The final question is only in conditions. To win in such an auction, the price is important. Other supporting tools are the subject of an interest in how they will be evaluated. If it is only a price, then it will be a simple and transparent mechanism. The base for such auctions in Ukraine already exists.”
As the country prepares to open its doors to the wider gambling industry, the intricacies of the local market are a key point of attention for Parimatch as a leading betting brand in the region. Focussing on how to ensure Ukraine’s regulatory systems are workable and future proof, Liashko commented: “I believe it is necessary to use the experience that other jurisdictions have. It should be understood that Ukraine has its own legal traditions, and most importantly its own domestic issues and some negative traditions associated with state regulation and the state’s habits in Ukraine to be directed towards tight control rather than development.
“Based on this, the use of all those methods of control of GGR and other methods that are used in European countries may be premature for Ukraine. Rather, you need to give priority to fixed, very high payments for a license, to abandon the practice of paying tax from the GGR, and leave only income tax. The presence of a fixed payment will make it possible to avoid all possible disputes with regulatory authorities, which in Ukraine are quite a large number. When in other jurisdictions a question arises with accrued bonuses, canceled bets, etc., you look for compromises with the governing bodies. In Ukraine at the moment there is no expertise in this matter since there was no gaming industry as such.”
In terms of Parimatch’s position in this potential new landscape, the company is keen to establish a strong and sustainable status in the market focusing on security and customer safety. “At Parimatch, we take into account and work a lot with BI in order to understand the interests of the client first of all. We individually tailor their preferences,” Liashko said. “We find the following issues the most important to develop and introduce to our clients: full remote identification; automatic data analysis to prevent fraud; interactive interfaces for communication with the client; automation of decision-making and cyber defense. We also hope that the new legislation in Ukraine will contribute to this, and not force us to fill out paper forms.”
“Technology will change everything,” he added. ‘Over the next decade, I think such key changes will occur several times. In this context, the legislation in Ukraine is quite progressive, since now the projects include the regulation of virtual sports, eSports betting, virtual events with unpredictable results. This already provides the basis for the technological development of fast content for the gaming industry. At the same time, Internet technologies and the volume of data transfer of devices are developing quite widely. This will allow the gaming industry to reach a whole new level of entertainment.”
He concluded: “When entertainment will prevail in all spheres of the gaming industry in principle. The word “gambling” itself may lose its relevance and becomes entertainment, as we have seen this trend in Europe over the past few years.”
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Soft2Bet has launched Swiper, Romania’s first online casino built around the swipe-driven design of social media apps. Designed for mobile users, Swiper blends intuitive navigation with casino gaming, making it easy for players to browse, choose, and enjoy thousands of titles with a simple swipe.
The product embraces a rising trend that brings together the best of casino entertainment and mobile gaming dynamics — fast, engaging, and tailored to today’s digital habits. At the heart of the project is short-form video content, a format familiar to all mobile users, which enhances interactivity and keeps the experience dynamic and immersive.
With over 75% of global users engaging with mobile applications for entertainment, Swiper meets players where they already are. Its interactive interface replicates intuitive gestures from known social apps, enabling users to effortlessly explore and customize their gaming universe, while the design caters to the mobile-native generation and reflects a keen awareness of evolving digital user behavior.
Fully powered by Soft2Bet’s proprietary MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application) technology, Swiper redefines user engagement, creating immersive, personalised interactions with every swipe. MEGA, developed entirely in-house by Soft2Bet, represents an independent and innovative technology dedicated to enhancing traditional gaming experiences with missions, challenges, and quests that encourage players to stay engaged for longer, increasing screen time and LTV.
The launch in the Romanian market builds upon Soft2Bet’s recent success with Don.Ro, a brand that was recently recognised as the “Best Launch of the Year 2024” at the 12th Meeting of Gambling Professionals by Casino Inside magazine. Leveraging the same powerful technology stack that propelled Don.Ro to prominence, Soft2Bet again demonstrates how its platform excellence consistently translates into compelling new market entries.
“As a leader in the iGaming industry, we know how to build strong brands, understand what our players truly want, and deliver products that resonate,” highlighted Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet. “Our B2C launches serve as proof of concept for the strength of our technology, data-driven insights, and market knowledge. Swiper is a clear example of this approach in action, offering a standout experience tailored to Romanian players.”
Swiper introduces several key features to local players :
- One-handed swipe navigation for rapid game discovery
- Over 3000 Games, 50 Roulette tables, 120 Blackjack tables, table games, and live casino offerings
- Over 85,000 live and 70,000 pre-match sports betting events covering diverse sports markets with competitive odds
- Localised promotions tied directly to Romanian events and holidays
- The design is adapted to local player preferences and cultural context
Zuckerberg further commented, “Customer experience is our top priority. We know what today’s players want—they value speed, simplicity, and familiarity. With Swiper’s social approach, we’re excited to see how this fresh UI/UX impacts engagement and loyalty.”
Operating under a Class I licence from Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN), Swiper, powered by Soft2Bet’s expertise across 19 licences and 11 jurisdictions, guarantees a regulated, safe, and responsible gaming environment that meets stringent international standards. This strong regulatory foundation not only builds credibility for Swiper but also reflects Soft2Bet’s commitment to redefining modern gaming through scalable, innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance player retention across regulated markets, as evidenced by the success of brands like Betinia, CampoBet, QuickCasino, Don.ro, ElaBet, ToonieBet and others.
Launch video:
The post Soft2Bet Unveils Romania’s First Social Media-Inspired Casino and Betting Platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Through this partnership, Digitain will deliver scalable sportsbook technology to enhance 888 Romania’s offerings.
Digitain, a leading sportsbook and iGaming solutions provider, is proud to announce a new partnership with 888 Romania, a key brand within the globally recognized Evoke PLC.
This partnership will see Digitain power 888 Romania with its award-winning Sportsbook, further elevating the betting experience for its players. The flexible, customizable platform allows for a tailored experience across channels and languages, underscoring Digitain’s commitment to delivering innovative and engaging sportsbook solutions to the Romanian market.
Vardges Vardanyan, Founder of Digitain, commented: “We are proud to partner with 888 Romania and provide them with our industry-leading Sportsbook. This collaboration reflects Digitain’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative, flexible, and fully customizable sportsbook technology for leading operators across regulated markets.
By combining our expertise with 888 Romania’s strong market presence, we are confident this partnership will elevate the betting experience, offer unparalleled value to players, and set a new standard for sportsbook solutions in the region.”
Dragos Buriu, Founder and Director of NGS, commented: “Partnering with Digitain is a strategic step in enhancing our sports offering for Romanian players on 888.ro. Digitain’s bespoke technology, flexibility, and deep market expertise will allow us to deliver an even stronger and more localized sports betting experience. This partnership ensures that our platform remains competitive, innovative, and aligned with player expectations. We look forward to a successful collaboration that benefits both our companies.”
This agreement marks another milestone in Digitain’s growth strategy, strengthening its footprint in regulated European markets and advancing its reputation as a trusted technology partner for leading global operators. By delivering scalable and adaptable sportsbook solutions, Digitain continues to empower operators like 888 Romania to offer enhanced betting experiences, respond quickly to market trends, and remain at the forefront of innovation in the iGaming industry.
The post Digitain Secures Strategic Partnership with 888 Romania appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a resolution on licensing conditions in the gambling sector, which allows the state agency PlayCity to begin issuing licenses to gambling organisers and confirming previously issued ones.
“As a result, this will generate almost UAH 50 million (1.028.956,00 Euro) in additional revenues to the state budget from license fees in the near future,” PlayCity reported on Telegram.
It is noted that to obtain a license, impeccable business reputation, lack of ties with the aggressor state and implementation of all necessary mechanisms for responsible gaming are required.
PlayCity clarified that such requirements apply to both those who are only applying for a license and current licensees. Current licensees have two months to submit documents to PlayCity on compliance with the requirements.
The message emphasises that if the requirements are not met, sanctions in the form of fines or termination of the license may be applied to the organisers of gambling.
“The state will direct additional budget revenues to strengthen defense capabilities, in particular, to purchase drones for the Defense Forces,” PlayCity added.
The post Ukraine’s PlayCity Begins Issuing Licenses to Gambling Operators appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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