Ukraine Imposes $130K Penalty on Blogger for Unauthorized Casino Advertising
Ukraine’s State Agency for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries, known as PlayCity, has levied a substantial fine of approximately $130,000 against a popular blogger for advertising an unlicensed casino. The enforcement action follows an investigation supported by the Bureau of Economic Security (BEB). Ukraine Blogger Casino
The fine was issued to blogger Aliona Omovych after authorities identified gambling-related promotional content on her Instagram account. PlayCity confirmed that, with assistance from the BEB, Ukrainian law enforcement specializing in economic crimes they traced the posts to her and linked her to individual entrepreneur Starykh Alyona Eduardivna.
The agency formalized the penalty through decision No. 79-r, dated March 20. Under the ruling, the fine must be paid within three months, and Omovych is required to notify PlayCity once she has voluntarily complied with the order.
The core of the case involved the promotion of a casino that operates without a license. PlayCity described Omovych as a “millionaire blogger” and emphasized that she advertised a gambling operator lacking proper licensing. The regulator highlighted that bloggers are prohibited from advertising gambling, stressing that promotion of unlicensed casinos poses risks to followers, including the absence of responsible gaming rules, payment guarantees, and personal data protection.
To establish Omovych’s identity, PlayCity collaborated with the BEB, which provided crucial information and search support. This cooperation enabled the regulator to confirm the individual responsible. The fine was subsequently issued to Starykh Alyona Eduardivna, who is registered as an individual entrepreneur. The source material does not mention any appeal or response from the blogger.
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This case follows another recent enforcement action by PlayCity, which fined Dynamo Kyiv more than $125,000 for violating gambling advertising regulations on stadium grounds. Both incidents underscore a broader effort by Ukrainian authorities to clamp down on illegal gambling promotion, especially when it involves advertising restrictions or links to unlicensed operators. Ukraine Blogger Casino
