The Ukrainian market has serious trust problems that occurred during the war. New dangerous operators emerged, and the threat to the users in the Ukraine casino segment increased. In order to be able to defend players, a three-layer system was implemented: regular control, control of payments, and independent checks. This final section of independent sites such as Svit Ua to the online casino Ukraine market became one of the main obstacles to illegal gambling.
In 2024, players spent around 160 billion hryvnias topping up their accounts in Ukrainian online casinos. On average, from January to November, they spent 12.7 billion UAH per month, and in December the number jumped to 19.4 billion UAH.
Even though gambling is now legalized in Ukraine with platforms like Playcity, illegal casinos still take up most of the market. According to studies, the share of the grey market in Ukrainian gambling is estimated at 52.1% by Kantar, 39% by Gradus, and 53% by Factum.
Wartime Context: Why Grey-Market Risk Spiked?
Why did the number of grey casinos increase? It’s pretty simple. The growth of the grey gambling in Ukraine during the war was driven by the following factors:
- Economic hardship and war. People were seeking quick ways to earn money. Some hoped to win a large sum to cover family or housing expenses. Grey casinos lured them with such promises.
- Reduced oversight. Martial law meant fewer inspections and supervision. Fraudsters had the opportunity to operate almost without control.
As a result, Ukrainian online ecosystems began creating their own trust filters. Sites and portals started helping people check where it is safe to play and which sites to avoid. These platforms also actively promote ideas of safe and responsible gambling.
It became clear early on that without a centralized market casino review, users would remain defenseless. Without checks and reviews, players could lose money even on sites that seem “cool.“ City portals and public organizations began publishing articles and reviews explaining how to distinguish legitimate casinos from fraudulent ones.
The Three-Layer Protection Model: Regulator → Payments → Independent reviews
Currently, the Ukrainian gambling market uses a triple protection system for players. Experts highlight three layers of protection that work together:
- Regulator – for example, Playcity issues licenses and sets rules for all casinos. Without a permit, trust between players is impossible.
- Payment tools – banks and processing companies filter transactions, block suspicious transfers, and help players avoid losing money.
- Independent reviews – sites like Svit Ua explain in simple language which casinos are safe and which are not.
Inside the Review Layer: License Checks, KYC/Bonus Labeling, Transparency
Independent reviews have become the most essential element of protection for Ukrainian players. Experts on these portals register on casinos themselves and check the following:
- Licenses and documents. The site must be official and operate in accordance with the rules.
- KYC conditions. Player identity verification should be simple and secure. The “Know Your Customer“ policy is key to preventing minors and fraudsters from accessing games.
- Bonus transparency. Players must understand how to use bonuses and promotions. For example, it should be clearly stated that a 100 UAH bonus must be wagered at least 30 times.
- Risk labeling. Reviews indicate potential dangers, so players can avoid falling into traps. These can include payout delays, support issues, and other risks.
Example of such a review: Svit Ua publishes articles analyzing brands, listing the pros and cons of each casino. For example:
- Site “A“ gives bonuses but does not explain how to wager them. This is a red flag.
- Site “B“ works with Ukrainian banks and discloses its owner. This is safe.
This format enables players to distinguish between legal and illegal casinos quickly.
Outcomes & Evidence: Trust, Dispute Resolution, Player Education
The Ukrainian protection system is already showing results:
- Increased trust. Most players first check a site through independent reviews before registering and making a deposit. Globally, about 70% of consumers trust online reviews over ads, which underpins the effectiveness of review portals.
- Dispute resolution. Public cases help players receive payments or compensation faster. For example, if a player does not receive winnings, a review portal can direct them to the appropriate resources. In Ukraine, following new measures, law enforcement agencies blocked more than 2,500 illegal websites and opened 450 criminal cases of unlawful gambling businesses.
- Player education. Articles that show examples of grey schemes help develop critical thinking. Players begin to verify everything themselves.
This approach makes the market more transparent and reduces the risk of fraud.
Playbook for Other Markets: Red Flags, Standards, KPIs for Curbing Grey Sites
The Ukrainian iGaming experience is helpful for other countries where the grey market remains a threat. Key red flags to watch for:
- No license or unclear licensing.
- Anonymous payments without bank support.
- Excessive bonuses without wagering conditions.
- No information about the site owner.
Other countries can use the Ukrainian model as a playbook:
- Introduce the casino licensing Ukraine standards.
- Monitor payments and block suspicious transactions.
- Create independent reviews for players.
- Educate people to recognize fraudsters.
Transparency, local expertise, and public oversight help players feel safe. In the future, approaches developed under crisis conditions can be applied in peacetime. International regulators, for example, from the Gambling Commission, together with Ukrainian practices, will help increase trust in the global gambling market.
