Key Moments:
- The Ukrainian register of excluded gamblers is set to launch in December 2025 as part of nationwide responsible gambling measures.
- Citizens will be able to self-exclude or block family members from gambling via the PlayCity platform and the Diia app.
- PlayCity aims to refresh Ukraine’s lottery market, with early projections exceeding UAH 10 million ($242 million) in licensing revenue.
Nationwide Exclusion Register Readies for Rollout
The Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation has confirmed plans to introduce a national register for excluded gamblers in December 2025. This milestone initiative is positioned to bolster responsible gaming regulations and provide enhanced player protection mechanisms across the country.
PlayCity, the government-operated gambling monitoring platform, is currently seeking an IT partner to develop the exclusion register with expectations to have it completed by year-end. Having debuted in Summer 2025, PlayCity has prioritized modernizing gambling oversight, increasing data transparency, and improving coordination between regulatory authorities and operators.
Features and Operation of the Exclusion System
Once the system is implemented, players will be able to manage their participation in gambling activities through Diia, Ukraine’s national digital ID application. This will give individuals the capacity to file self-exclusion requests or restrict access to gambling for relatives.
Upon submission of an exclusion, PlayCity will alert all licensed gambling operators so that accounts can be promptly restricted. This communication model allows for immediate regulatory oversight and fosters safer gaming practices.
| Platform | Functionality |
|---|---|
| PlayCity | Maintaining the exclusion register, notifying operators, supporting lottery market |
| Diia | User interface for self-exclusion and managing gambling profiles |
Commitment to Data Security and Compliance
Authorities have emphasized robust cybersecurity protocols for the system, which include encrypted data transfer, secure information storage, and dual-factor authentication. All components are designed to comply with Ukraine’s evolving data protection standards.
PlayCity’s Broader Digital Strategy
Beyond player protection, PlayCity is actively pursuing the relaunch of the national lottery. This initiative promises to direct new licensing revenues – anticipated at over UAH 10 million ($242 million) – to support defense and governmental projects.
Ukraine’s adoption of the exclusion register is viewed as a template that could offer regulatory, technological, and societal benefits in other Eastern European countries in the future.
- Author
Daniel Williams
