Europe · UA
Ukraine
Ukraine licenses online gambling under its 2020 gambling law and authorises payment and e-money institutions under the National Bank of Ukraine's payment services framework.
At a glance
- Status
- EU candidate country
- Region
- Europe
- Regulated sectors
- GamingPaymentsInvestment
- Authorities
- NBU · NSSMC · State Financial Monitoring Service
- Licensing routes
- 3
Overview
The framework
Ukraine legalised and licensed gambling in 2020, including online casino games, sports betting and poker, under a dedicated gambling law. The institutional framework for gambling supervision has since been reorganised; the licensing authority and licence conditions should be confirmed for each engagement.
The National Bank of Ukraine authorises payment institutions and e-money institutions under the Law on Payment Services, which modernised the framework in 2022. Capital markets are supervised by the National Securities and Stock Market Commission.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- National Bank of Ukraine (NBU)
- Banks, payment and e-money institutions, and payment systems.
- National Securities and Stock Market Commission (NSSMC)
- Capital markets and securities market participants.
- State Financial Monitoring Service
- Financial intelligence unit; AML/CFT reporting.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Online gambling licences
Licences for online casino games, sports betting and poker under the 2020 gambling law.
Sectors: Gaming
Payment / e-money institution
NBU authorisation under the Law on Payment Services.
Sectors: Payments
Securities market licences
NSSMC licences for brokerage and dealing activity.
Sectors: Investment
Applications and regulator engagement for these routes are handled by our Regulatory & Licensing practice.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- EU candidate status does not give Ukrainian licences EU passporting rights.
- Operational, security and sanctions considerations should be assessed for any Ukraine-facing activity.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. How each is delivered depends on the local requirements that apply; where local qualification is required, we coordinate locally qualified counsel.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionPrivacy compliance and GDPR programmes, notices and DPAs, DPIAs, data mapping and ROPA, transfers, audits and breach response.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration and protection, copyright protection, domain name disputes, portfolio support and IP agreements.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions for banks, partners and investors.
- Bank Account OpeningSupport with corporate and operational accounts at banks and EMIs, prepared for how their compliance teams assess high-risk businesses.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupSupport with merchant account applications and acquiring setup at acquirers and PSPs, including for high-risk merchant categories.
Support
How we support businesses in Ukraine
- Regulatory & Licensing01Strategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate Structuring02Group architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory Strategy10Market prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness for businesses expanding into new jurisdictions.
Discuss your matter with a senior advisor.
Share a few details about your business and plans. We will come back to arrange a confidential initial conversation.