Legal Action Over Unpaid Fines for Illegal Casino Advertising
Fourteen bloggers and media outlets have been fined a total of 67.2 million hryvnias for promoting online casinos, with none of the penalties paid voluntarily. These cases, including one against blogger Karina Kuchmenko, have now been entered into the Unified Debtor Registry. This crackdown comes as Ukraine tightens its regulation of gambling advertising, a sector that has seen rapid online growth.
Two separate proceedings against Karina Kuchmenko, issued by the State Agency PlayCity, amount to 4.8 million hryvnias and 24,000 hryvnias. Ukrainian law provides a three-month window for the voluntary payment of such fines, but to date, none of the debtors have chosen to settle their penalties.
Court Appeals and the Need for Legal Compliance
Seven of the bloggers and one media outlet are currently challenging PlayCity's decisions in court. The total fines levied against the 14 entities stand at 67.2 million hryvnias. This situation underscores the critical importance of adhering to advertising laws for gambling, especially as the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a procedure for obtaining licenses in this field via the 'Diia' portal.
The imposition of these substantial fines signals a clear intensification of state control in this area. Since advertising gambling without a proper license violates the law, this case may set a precedent for future actions against other media figures and influencers. In an environment of heightened regulatory scrutiny, it is essential for advertisers and media to follow the rules to avoid significant financial penalties and legal consequences.