Eastern Europe
Anticipating Gambling Legalisation in Ukraine, Hilton Kyiv Plans to Open 2 Casinos

Hospitality giant Hilton has announced its plans to open two casinos on the premises of its Kyiv hotel, anticipating gambling legalisation in Ukraine.
The co-owner of the hotel’s Ukrainian branch, who has also co-founded the 1+1 Media Group, Boris Fuchsman, plans to invest $30 million in the project.
The project’s start date remains unknown amid ongoing efforts to legalise gambling in hotels.
A draft bill legalising gambling in hotels has to undergo a few more steps before it comes into effect: while it was passed in the first reading on January 16, parliament still has to vote for it in the second reading before Ukraine’s president signs it.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for legalising gambling in Ukraine: he ordered a new gambling bill in September 2019 and supported it in December when parliament votes for it in the first reading. As a result, 260 lawmakers voted for the draft law.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk echoed Zelensky’s support for the bill. The easiest way to eliminate the vast network of underground illegal gambling spots would be to legalise the activity, which could also bring over $120 million in tax revenues to the state budget, Honcharuk said during a briefing in November 2019.
Meanwhile, the head of the parliament’s committee on finance, taxation and customs policy, Danylo Hetmantsev estimates the tax revenue could be as high a $190 million.
According to the draft, casinos will be only be permitted in five-star hotels in designated tourist areas.
The government’s ambition is to ensure that “gambling will be conducted exclusively on the territory of hotels” while removing “gambling halls and slot machines from streets,” Honcharuk said.
In Kyiv, only hotels with more than 200 rooms will be eligible, while in smaller cities such as Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Lviv, hotels will be allowed to install casinos if they have at least 120 rooms.
Eastern Europe
Soft2Bet Unveils Romania’s First Social Media-Inspired Casino and Betting Platform

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.
888 Romania
Digitain Secures Strategic Partnership with 888 Romania

Reading Time: 2 minutes
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.
Compliance Updates
Ukraine’s PlayCity Begins Issuing Licenses to Gambling Operators

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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