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Ukraine
Ukraine licenses online gambling under its 2020 gambling law; the National Bank of Ukraine authorises payment and e-money institutions.
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, so we confirm the current licensing authority and licence conditions at the start of 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
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Plan EU access separately: EU candidate status gives Ukrainian licences no passporting rights.
- Build operational, security and sanctions assessments into the plan 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. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- 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, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
Ukraine: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
Ukraine: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.



