Ukraine’s gambling regulator PlayCity has announced a new partnership with YouTube aimed at accelerating the removal of illegal gambling advertisements from the platform. The collaboration is intended to improve detection speed and enable faster takedown of violating content.
According to PlayCity, the agreement will allow regulatory monitoring systems to connect more directly with YouTube’s enforcement tools. This should reduce the time between identifying illegal ads and removing them.
Faster Detection and Immediate Content Removal
In a statement shared via its official Telegram channel, PlayCity said it has begun working with YouTube “to respond more quickly and block illegal gambling advertising.” The regulator added that the cooperation will improve enforcement efficiency. Additionally, it will strengthen oversight of gambling-related content online.
The initiative focuses on tightening control over digital advertising channels and ensuring faster intervention when violations are detected.
Channels Already Removed Under New Cooperation
PlayCity confirmed that enforcement actions have already been carried out under the new arrangement. One YouTube channel with more than 3,000 subscribers was taken down after publishing gambling-related advertisements. Meanwhile, another video promoting an illegal casino was removed from a channel with over 133,000 subscribers.
The regulator said the aim is to reduce response times and improve consistency in tackling illegal gambling promotion across digital platforms. In addition to content removals, Ukraine continues to issue financial penalties for advertising violations under existing gambling laws.
Broader Shift Toward Fully Digital Licensing System
The partnership comes as Ukraine continues to modernise its gambling regulatory framework. The Ministry of Digital Transformation, working alongside PlayCity, has fully digitised the licensing process through the Diia platform.
Operators can now submit applications online, complete documentation electronically, and sign forms using qualified digital signatures. Company data is automatically pulled from state registers, enabling faster processing and allowing PlayCity to issue licences within minutes.
Full Range of Gambling Licences Available Online
Through the updated system, licences are available for multiple gambling verticals, including land-based casinos, sports betting, slot halls, online poker, and B2B gambling services.
The move reflects Ukraine’s broader effort to streamline regulation, improve transparency, and strengthen enforcement in both licensing and advertising control. This comes as the digital gambling sector continues to expand.
