Ukraine’s gambling and lottery regulator, PlayCity, has confirmed that all three of the country’s established lottery operators have submitted applications for the national licensing competition, marking the first formal reset of the lottery framework since existing licenses expired over a decade ago.
PlayCity report that MSL LLC, Ukrainian National Lottery (UNL) and PJSC Patriot provided their documentation before the December 29th, 2025, deadline.
The tender, initiated in early December, is part of the government’s effort to align lottery operations with the current licensing regime while broader reforms are underway.
Hennadiy Novikov, PlayCity Head, explained that the current legal setup is unlikely to attract new entrants due to stringent eligibility rules, stating: “Licenses will be issued not for 10 years, but for the duration of martial law plus one year, though not exceeding three years.”
He adds that this interim period is designed to allow time for the Ministry of Digital Transformation and parliament to revise lottery regulations, potentially opening the market to international companies.
This new licensing term contrasts with the standard decade-long term in many jurisdictions. The tender requirements are rigorous, suggesting they are tailored for existing networks rather than new market entrants.
PlayCity has stipulated that operators must have subdivisions in cities with over 500,000 residents, distribute lottery products in localities with more than 5,000 residents, maintain at least 5,000 sales points nationwide and own 5,000 electronic betting terminals linked to an electronic system.
Additional criteria include a .UA domain website and at least three years of experience in state lotteries, with restrictions on Russian affiliations. PlayCity is set to announce the results within 15 business days of the application deadline. Successful applicants must then complete formalities and payments promptly.
This interim licensing process is seen as a bridge, allowing time for statutory revisions that may expand eligibility and invite a more competitive future framework. Meanwhile, PlayCity targets January 2026 for launching a national self-exclusion register to aid licensed operators in compliance.
