Ukrainian Gambling Council Urges Google to Lift Ban on Licensed Gambling Ads

The Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC) has appealed to Google, requesting that it stop blocking advertising from licensed gambling operators in Ukraine. The UGC argues that this blanket ban contradicts Ukrainian law, causing financial losses for both businesses and the state, while benefiting illegal gambling operators.

In a statement, the UGC highlighted the importance of tackling illegal online gambling advertisements, which contribute to the growth of the shadow gambling market. However, the council noted that Google's current policy has had unintended consequences. Over the past year, licensed operators with established domains have been blocked, while illegal operators, who easily switch domains, remain largely unaffected by these restrictions.

Google currently classifies Ukraine as a country where all forms of gambling, except lotteries, are prohibited, resulting in the platform blocking ads primarily from legal operators. This has created a worrying situation where the illegal market is thriving, while legitimate companies face significant hurdles in promoting their services.

Licensed operators in Ukraine, who have obtained state-issued licences and contribute to the economy through sponsorships and taxes, are unable to advertise their services legally online. The UGC warned that this situation is leading to lost revenue for businesses and reduced tax income for the state.

While lotteries are permitted on Google, the UGC pointed out that many operate with expired licences from 2014, imitating gambling activities like betting and online casinos without proper licensing or paying taxes. Despite this, lottery operators face no restrictions on their advertising.

In a bid to resolve these issues and prevent further financial losses for both businesses and the state, the UGC has once again reached out to Google's regional office in Ukraine, urging a review of the advertising ban.