Ukraine will begin the rollout of the State Online Monitoring System (SOM) as the government’s new solution to monitoring gambling licences under conflict with the first phase rolling out at the end of the year and the second phase coming in December 2026.
The announcement comes from PlayCity, Ukraine’s newly established gambling authority, charged with operating SOM to ensure the market remains free from corruption and Russian interference.
The development of SOM was first outlined in August 2025. In September, PlayCity signed a contract with Computer Information Technologies LLC to build the first stage of the system at a cost of UAH 26 million (c. €610,000).
Two-stage rollout
PlayCity confirmed that SOM will be delivered in two stages. The first, already under development, is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 and will enable the regulator to receive real-time data from operators’ systems.
Stage 1 is intended to allow PlayCity real-time visibility over operator systems, tracking player acitvity including fund transfers, token purchases and redemptions, winnings and unique player identifiers. Data will be sent in real time via API and stored in a non-personalised form.
PlayCity’s Secretary General Hennadiy Novikov commented: “Today, the team begins working on the creation of the State Online Monitoring System. The first phase of the project is planned to be launched in December. This will ensure effective control over operators, reducing unfair practices and strengthening the rights of players.”
The second stage, targeted for December 2026, will expand the platform into a fully operational state monitoring system capable of tracking activity across the entire Ukrainian market, both land-based and online.
Part of wider gaming reform
The SOM project is central to Ukraine’s broader gambling overhaul. Earlier this year, the government dissolved the former regulator, KRAIL, following corruption scandals and allegations of Russian influence. In its place, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy authorised the creation of PlayCity, which began operations in April 2025 under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The agency has been tasked with implementing stricter oversight, restoring public trust and introducing new measures, including a ban on gambling advertising, a new B2B licensing register and expanded enforcement powers to block unlicensed websites.
Ukrainian gambling ndustry in crossfire
The launch of SOM comes amid mounting concerns about the size of the Ukrainian gambling market. The National Bank of Ukraine has warned that citizens spend nearly UAH 400m (€8m) daily on online platforms, raising questions about affordability and problem gambling during wartime.
Operators, meanwhile, continue to call for clarity on licensing rules and enforcement, with several firms facing suspensions, frozen accounts, and investigations by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Industry stakeholders have urged policymakers to resolve legal ambiguities and establish a stable framework that can support long-term recovery.
The Ukrainian government continues to classify gambling as a high-risk business sector, requiring stringent surveillance of customers, transactions and licence holders to safeguard the market against abuse, financial crime and external interference.
