Published on: January 13, 2026, 10:28h.
Updated on: January 13, 2026, 10:28h.
- Ukraine intensifies efforts against illegal gambling sites
- The nation has mandated ISPs to block access to thousands of unauthorized gambling sites
- The recent ban includes restricting access to Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction market
Ukraine is directing internet service providers (ISPs) to prohibit access to hundreds more websites identified as unlawful for gambling activities. This directive also includes the well-known prediction market site, Polymarket.
Gambling was largely banned in Ukraine until 2020 when President Volodymyr Zelensky legalized iGaming and casinos within hotels equipped with a minimum of 100 rooms. However, numerous online casinos have since presented themselves as legitimate but lack proper licensing. Reports have surfaced about illegal casino websites operating from abroad, notably from Russia.
PlayCity, the regulatory body for gaming in Ukraine, has supported the government’s efforts by enabling the blockage of over 4,500 websites identified as illegal gambling operations. Last December, PlayCity suggested that an additional 200 unlawful gambling sites be blocked.
Ban on Polymarket Due to War Contracts
Following a review by PlayCity of additional illegal betting platforms, Ukraine has ordered ISPs to block access to these sites, as sanctioned by the National Commission for State Regulation of Electronic Communications. Included in the latest bans is Polymarket, a decentralized cryptocurrency prediction market.
Polymarket has already faced bans in 33 nations due to concerns over its offerings related to contracts predicting the outcomes of war. PlayCity stated that Polymarket operates as an illegal gambling platform facilitating trades in contracts related to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
Currently, Polymarket continues to offer contracts on when a ceasefire might occur. Over $13 million has been wagered on a ceasefire by January 31, 2026, with current shares indicating only a 3% probability. A ceasefire by March 31, 2026, which has seen over $8 million in trades, suggests a 12% likelihood. Additionally, a ceasefire by the year’s end, with $6 million in trades, presents a 44% chance.
Traders on Polymarket speculate there’s a 28% chance that Zelensky may no longer be president of Ukraine by year’s end, with over $1 million in trading on that contract.
Last year, Polymarket hosted close to 100 contracts focused on the Russia-Ukraine war, with approximately $100 million traded globally on these outcomes.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since February 2022, after Vladimir Putin initiated a “special military operation” purportedly to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine.
Websites: Banned and Permitted
PlayCity maintains a comprehensive list of gaming websites that Ukrainian ISPs are required to block. While Polymarket is prohibited, other prediction platforms like Kalshi, Gemini, and PredictIt remain accessible.
Ukraine generally allows online sweepstakes casinos, which have faced scrutiny in the U.S. Licensed online casinos operating in Ukraine include Stake, Lucky Goldfish, and ROX Casino.