Ukraine Revokes Patriot Lottery Licence Over Ownership Compliance Issues

According to the regulator, the decision followed a review which found that Patriot’s ultimate beneficial owner did not meet the standards set out under Ukrainian law. While no detailed explanation was disclosed, officials emphasized that strict due diligence procedures are central to the country’s renewed approach to regulating the gambling sector.

The move was based in part on information provided by the State Bureau of Investigation. PlayCity highlighted that law enforcement agencies are actively involved in the licensing process to ensure comprehensive background checks of applicants, including their ownership structures and potential affiliations.

This development comes amid broader efforts by Ukraine to bring greater oversight and transparency to its lottery and gambling industries. Earlier in March, the country issued its first lottery licences in more than 12 years, marking a significant step toward formalizing the market. The licensing round generated over UAH 72 million (€1.7 million) in revenue for the state budget.

Licences were initially awarded to three operators: MSL, Patriot, and Ukrainian National Lottery. While Patriot’s licence has now been revoked, the remaining two operators are expected to retain their licences for at least the duration of martial law plus one additional year, with a minimum validity period of three years.

At the same time, Ukrainian authorities are reviewing wider reforms to the gambling framework. A public consultation is currently underway to assess proposed legislative and tax changes aimed at strengthening regulation and increasing state oversight.

In parallel, policymakers are considering a controversial proposal to restrict military personnel from accessing gambling services. However, a study conducted by Kantar for the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators suggests that gambling addiction rates among military personnel are broadly in line with those of the general population.

Oleksandr Kohut, head of the industry association, warned that imposing restrictions could have unintended consequences, potentially pushing users toward unregulated or illegal gambling platforms rather than reducing overall participation.