Key points:
- The Ukrainian Gambling Council has appealed to Google to lift advertising restrictions on licensed gambling operators in Ukraine
- Current policies are argued to benefit illegal operators while hindering legal businesses and state tax revenues
- The UGC therefore seeks permission for licensed operators to advertise various forms of gambling and mobile applications on Google platforms
The Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC) has once again appealed to Google to reconsider its policy of blocking all gambling advertisements from licensed Ukrainian operators.
This ongoing issue has raised concerns about the impact on legal businesses and the potential growth of illegal gambling operations in the country.
Google's current policy treats Ukraine as a jurisdiction where all forms of gambling, except lotteries, are prohibited.
This blanket ban has led to the blocking of advertisements from licensed Ukrainian gambling operators, while potentially allowing illegal operators to exploit loopholes by frequently changing domain names and jurisdictions.
Licensed operators, who have obtained proper state permits and invested in marketing campaigns, including sports sponsorships, find themselves unable to legally advertise their services online – a situation that has resulted in customer loss and reduced profits for legitimate businesses, consequently impacting tax revenues for the state.
Good to know: The policy has allegedly resulted in lost profits for businesses and taxes for the state while expanding the illegal gambling market
Paradoxically, the UGC points out that lottery operators, whose licenses expired in 2014, continue to operate and advertise without restrictions.
These operators allegedly imitate various forms of gambling without proper licensing or tax contributions.
In response to these issues, the UGC has appealed to Google's regional office in Ukraine, requesting the lifting of existing restrictions. They are seeking permission for licensed operators to advertise gambling activities – including casino games, betting and poker – both in physical establishments and online platforms.
Additionally, the UGC is requesting the ability to advertise and place mobile gambling applications on Google services.
