Ukraine lottery operators submit bids in PlayCity tender

Ukraine’s gambling regulator PlayCity has confirmed that the country’s three main lottery operators M.S.L. LLC, Ukrainian National Lottery (UNL), and PJSC Patriot have all submitted applications for the state’s new licensing tender. Officials describe the process as the first formal reset of the lottery framework since licences previously issued by the Ministry of Finance expired over a decade ago.

The tender, opened in early December and closing on December 29, aims to bring lottery operations under the current regulatory system while broader reforms are being prepared. PlayCity head Hennadiy Novikov noted that the current rules favor existing operators, making it difficult for new entrants, including international companies, to qualify.

Licences under this interim framework will run for the duration of martial law plus one year, capped at three years, rather than the typical 10-year term. Novikov explained that this temporary arrangement allows time for parliament and the Ministry of Digital Transformation to update lottery regulations and potentially attract international operators in the future.

The tender criteria are extensive, targeting operational capacity and nationwide coverage. Applicants must maintain subdivisions in every Ukrainian city with over 500,000 residents, distribute lotteries in all localities with more than 5,000 residents, operate at least 5,000 points of sale, and own a minimum of 5,000 electronic betting terminals connected to a central acceptance system. Other requirements include a .UA domain website, at least three years of combined lottery management experience, minimum authorised capital and restrictions on Russian affiliations.

PlayCity plans to announce successful applicants within 15 business days of the deadline, with winners required to complete formalities and payments within a short timeframe. Meanwhile, the regulator is preparing additional reforms, including a revamped national self-exclusion register expected in January 2026, which will serve as a practical compliance tool for licensed operators.

With all three established operators entering the tender, Ukraine is taking a decisive step toward formalising lottery licences while keeping the framework flexible enough to accommodate future regulatory updates.