Gambling in Ukraine Thrives Amidst War: Boosts Revenue to National Budget, analysis by UGC

Gambling sector set a new record in Ukraine

In the first months of 2025, the gambling business set a new record for state budget revenues. According to the State Tax Service, tax payments from legal gambling business organisers totalled UAH 735.63 million, which is 74.2% more than in the same period of 2024. This proves that legal gambling not only survived and withstood the difficult conditions, but also managed to find ways for growth and development.

Increase in tax payments

Such a significant increase in tax payments also shows that legal gambling businesses continue to adapt to new regulatory requirements, trying to be transparent not only for players but also for government control bodies. Since legalisation, despite all the challenges, including the war, legal gambling companies have managed to turn the gambling industry into a regulated sector of the economy.

Paying taxes in such volumes is a sign of business integrity and its readiness to support the country in difficult times. At the same time, in addition to financial revenues to the budget, the gambling business is also actively involved in supporting the Armed Forces. Funds from charity events and various initiatives of legal organisers are used to purchase equipment and help the military. Thus, legal gambling is becoming not just a commercial area, but also an important partner in restoring national security.

Gambling sector: Resilience and ability to grow

However, the efforts of legal organisers to fill the state budget are not without problems. While they are working and paying taxes responsibly, illegal gambling is flourishing, represented, in particular, by lottery operators , who do the exact opposite - they work without licences, do not pay taxes, and imitate gambling without appropriate permits.

Amidst all these changes, the gambling business in Ukraine has demonstrated resilience and the ability to grow, becoming an important element of the economy. The transformation of this industry in the face of severe challenges shows that even in the most difficult times, it is possible to find opportunities for growth.

Message for regulators

It is also important that regulators understand this, as their task is to create favourable conditions for business development and support it in difficult times, especially if the business wants to operate and grow. Not only does the further development of the industry depend on favourable regulatory conditions, but also the billions of taxes and licence fees that go to the state budget every month and fund, among other things, the needs of the army.