Ukraine’s gambling regulator, the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL), has blocked 11 more online casino sites. The body claims these sites were operating in the country without a license.
Among a string of relatively unknown sites, the list of blocked operators also included Stake and Roobet – two of the most popular crypto casinos in the world. Both have a strong marketing presence thanks to deals with globally popular gambling streamers, such as Trainwreck and Xposed.
The action comes on the back of concerning news for KRAIL. The regulator said that the number of Ukrainians signing up to the national gambling self-exclusion register rose by 139% in H1 2024. Around 87% of those sign-ups were men.
In April, the Prosecutor General’s Office blocked more than 2,500 unlicensed gambling sites
This isn’t the first time Ukraine has blocked gambling sites this year. In April, the Prosecutor General’s Office blocked more than 2,500 unlicensed gambling sites from the country.
In addition, Ukraine has also introduced a blanket ban on gambling advertisement and President Vlodymyr Zelensky banned soldiers from gambling during wartime. Ukraine is still fighting with Russia following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attack on the neighboring nation in February 2022.