Compliance Updates
Ukraine’s Evolving Gambling Landscape: Insights from the Panel of European Gaming Congress in Warsaw
The panel discussion last week, at the European Gaming Congress made me feel inspired to contemplate on critical facets of Ukraine’s burgeoning gambling industry, positioning the nation as an appealing prospect for Western European investors. Although unique challenges, including historical financial corruption and external pressures, exist, Ukraine’s European identity makes it an attractive hub for investment. As the country grapples with ongoing conflict, it must simultaneously address customary market concerns such as safeguarding against Russian interference and protecting the personal data of its citizens.
A striking parallel emerged between Ukraine’s gambling landscape and the realm of cryptocurrencies, where combating money laundering and terrorist financing poses significant challenges. The National Bank, equipped with the capacity to monitor financial flows, plays a pivotal role, in conjunction with law enforcement agencies. A comprehensive strategy to combat mis-selling and gray schemes is being executed by the National Bank of Ukraine, alongside the Commission and the Ministry of Finance, resulting in the revocation of licenses, particularly among operators with Russian ties. Comparable license revocations have occurred in several European nations that have issued cryptocurrency licenses.
However, amid the ongoing struggle against these challenges, errors have emerged, exemplified by the imposition of sanctions on prominent Ukrainian industry leaders like Parimatch and Pokermatch. These sanctions have not only significantly impacted the legal gambling sector but have also cast a shadow of caution over Western investors. Notably, the President’s directive to the Cabinet of Ministers, prompted by a citizen petition with 25,000 signatures, seeks to investigate the circumstances leading to the inclusion of Parimatch in the sanctions list of the National Security and Defense Council.
In the wake of the Parimatch case, it’s worth noting that the Cosmolot brand has also recently faced heightened scrutiny, with law enforcement agencies conducting searches and investigations, further emphasizing the need for a robust law enforcement process. Ukrainian Gambling Council, representing 80% of licensed gambling operators, committed to serving its members by actively working on player protection, advertising regulation, and acting as a valuable business ombudsman for the industry, contributing to a more secure and transparent gambling landscape in Ukraine.
As technical impediments are surmounted, the regulatory body demonstrates its efficiency. Critical issues, such as streamlining market access through license issuance, promoting responsible gambling, stricter advertisement rules, and reinvigorating investments, are coming to the fore.
Once the security concerns are addressed, Ukraine is poised to unleash pent-up demand in its gambling sector. This situation will spur investors to contemplate their entry into the market, whether through direct investment, partnerships, or mergers and acquisitions, underlining the evolving landscape of opportunities in Ukraine’s vibrant gambling industry.
Article by Viktoriya Zakrevskaya, Founding Member and Deputy Chairwoman for Communications, Ukrainian Gambling Council
Viktoriya was a speaker at the European Gaming Congress by Hipther, that took place on 31 October at the InterContinental Warsaw. She discussed the emerging Ukrainian iGaming market at the Panel “The Greek Odyssey, La Dolce Vita, La Fiesta Española, The Ukrainian Spirit, and The Portuguese Fado”.
Compliance Updates
Dutch Regulator Urges Online Gambling Providers to Stop Using “Share Your Bet” Feature
The Dutch Gambling Regulator (KSA) has urged the online gambling providers to discontinue the “Share your bet” feature. This feature allows players to share their placed bets via social media or messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook and email. The KSA investigated the functionality of this feature after receiving several signals and questions from the market.
“Share your bet” function
The “Share your bet” feature allows players to easily share their bets with others. It works like this: a player places a bet and sends it via a link to, for example, friends or family. The recipient can then immediately see the bet and, if they have an account, participate as well. This makes gambling easily shared, often via social networks.
Protection of vulnerable groups
The KSA points out that the “Share your bet” feature is a form of advertising and recruitment. It’s a way for providers to promote gambling, but indirectly through players themselves. According to the Decree on Recruitment, Advertising and Addiction Prevention in Gambling, providers must ensure that advertising does not reach vulnerable groups, such as minors, young adults and people with gambling problems.
Because players with the “Share your bet” feature decide who to send their bet to, providers have no control over who receives the shared messages. This means that gambling providers cannot guarantee that vulnerable groups will not unintentionally encounter gambling advertising. Therefore, offering features like “Share your bet” is not permitted.
In addition, the ease of sharing bets helps normalize gambling. This lowers the barrier to entry, especially among younger demographics.
Discontinue “Share your bet” functionality
The KSA is therefore calling on all online gambling providers using the “Share your bet” feature to immediately stop doing so. The KSA will continue to monitor any new developments in this area and will take enforcement action where necessary to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups.
The post Dutch Regulator Urges Online Gambling Providers to Stop Using “Share Your Bet” Feature appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Digitain has secured certification from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for its Sportsbook and platform, alongside obtaining a UK betting licence for real and virtual events. This milestone confirms that Digitain’s technology meets the rigorous regulatory and technical standards required to operate in one of the world’s most demanding iGaming markets.
The UK is widely recognised as one of the most highly regulated and competitive jurisdictions globally. Securing UKGC approval is a clear marker of Digitain’s commitment to compliance, player protection and long-term operational reliability, while continuing to deliver performance-driven technology for ambitious operators.
Vardges Vardanyan, Founder of Digitain Group, said: “The UK is one of the most demanding regulatory environments in the global gaming industry. Meeting these standards is a strong endorsement of our technology, compliance capabilities, and operational maturity. This achievement enables us to support UK-licensed operators with confidence, delivering reliable, scalable, and future-ready solutions designed to perform in highly regulated markets.”
This certification further strengthens Digitain’s position as a trusted technology partner for regulated markets. The platform is designed to support sustainable growth, offering operators the flexibility to localise, optimise and scale within strict compliance frameworks. At the same time, Digitain’s UK-certified Sportsbook is built with control and transparency at its core, enabling operators to meet regulatory requirements without compromising on product depth, speed or engagement.
Arshak Muradyan, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Digitain, added: “Securing a UK betting licence alongside full Sportsbook and Platform certification is a clear validation of Digitain’s compliance-first approach. The UK market demands continuous oversight, robust controls, and absolute transparency, and this approval confirms that our systems, processes, and governance structures are built to meet those expectations.”
The post Digitain Secures UKGC Certification for Sportsbook and Platform appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brasil on Track
ODDSGATE LAUNCHES “BRASIL ON TRACK”, A STRATEGIC PLATFORM FOR NAVIGATING BRAZIL’S REGULATED IGAMING MARKET
As Brazil’s regulated iGaming market completes its first year under Law 14.790/2023, Oddsgate today announced the launch of Brasil on Track, a strategic platform designed to help operators monitor legislation, understand compliance requirements, and make informed decisions in Latin America’s largest economy.
Brasil on Track provides live tracking of regulatory milestones, market indicators, and operational requirements,
connecting legal updates to their business impact and linking directly to official sources.
Brazil’s regulatory landscape has evolved rapidly over the past year. Law 14.790/2023 introduced clearer frameworks for licensing, taxation, and consumer protection, which accelerated international interest and positioned Brazil among the world’s most closely watched regulated iGaming markets.
According to Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, the sector generated an estimated R$36 billion in gross gaming revenue (January-September 2025) and R$3.3 billion in federal tax revenue over the same period, highlighting the market’s scale and momentum.
Source: Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, 2025.
“The regulation brought by Law 14.790/2023 was a major milestone for Brazil’s iGaming sector,” said Valter Delfraro Junior, Oddsgate’s Director of Regulatory Affairs. “It ended years of uncertainty and provided legal security and operational clarity. This new scenario places Brazil’s gaming industry on par with mature markets, increasing our international competitiveness and attractiveness to global investors and partners.”
During the first year of regulation, operators faced extensive requirements, including federal authorization processes, responsible gambling mechanisms, advertising restrictions, and new tax structures. Oddsgate expects the market to continue expanding throughout 2026, with early adopters well-positioned to benefit from greater credibility and market growth.
“We transform regulation into a practical, continuous guide for operating in Brazil with less risk and more clarity,” said Wagner Fernandes, Chief Marketing Officer at Oddsgate. “Brasil on Track helps teams entering, expanding, or optimizing operations decide with context, not guesswork.”
What “Brasil on Track” includes
– Live tracking of active regulation and pending bills;
– An operational roadmap mapping legal changes to required compliance actions;
– Market intelligence, including player demographics and key market indicators;
– Visibility into tax structures, licensing steps, and market-entry requirements;
– Focus areas include KYC, AML, self-exclusion tools, responsible gambling, and consumer protection requirements.
The post ODDSGATE LAUNCHES “BRASIL ON TRACK”, A STRATEGIC PLATFORM FOR NAVIGATING BRAZIL’S REGULATED IGAMING MARKET appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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