How much do gambling games contribute to Ukraine's state budget?

Legalized gambling in Ukraine, introduced more than five years ago, continues to contribute to the state budget. In the first ten months of 2025, license fee revenues exceeded UAH 1.3 billion, surpassing the annual government plan. In addition, the state received another UAH 8.6 billion in taxes from gambling industry income.

The publication "Slovo i Dilo" analyzed planned and actual budget revenues from licenses in the organization and conduct of gambling in 2022−2025, as well as the amount of taxes paid on income from bookmaker activities and gambling.

The gambling business in Ukraine was legalized in 2020: in July, the Verkhovna Rada passed the law, and in August, it was signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. That year, in September, the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling appeared in Ukraine, with the main task of issuing, renewing, transferring, and suspending licenses for gambling. The first license was issued by KRAIL in February 2021.

In 2022, the state expected to attract UAH 1,189.7 million in license revenue. The plan was nearly achieved: the state budget received UAH 1,166.1 million, or 98% of the planned amount. The income tax from bookmaker activities and gambling in the first year of the war was UAH 80.1 million.

In 2023, the state budget planned to receive UAH 1,596.2 million from license fees. The plan was exceeded: UAH 1,679.9 million was received. At the same time, income tax reached UAH 4,335.1 million. Note that in January 2023, tax benefits for the gambling business were canceled, which significantly increased the tax.

Last year, the state planned to transfer UAH 1,047.5 million to the budget from license income. Actual revenues exceeded expectations — UAH 1,657.7 million was received. Income tax from bookmaker activities and gambling was the highest in three previous years — UAH 9,256.7 million.

In 2025, the budget planned UAH 1,295.7 million expected revenue. From January to October, the budget already received UAH 1,312.4 million, meaning the plan will again be exceeded. Income tax from bookmaker activities in the first ten months amounted to UAH 8,565.5 million. In 2026, the government expects to receive UAH 1,062.1 million from gambling licenses.

New Market Restrictions

As is known, in January of this year, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law on the liquidation of KRAIL and strengthening control over the gambling market.

The new law provides for restrictions on gambling advertising and a ban on sponsorship. It also defines additional tools to limit visits to gambling establishments and participation in gambling for potentially vulnerable categories of the population during martial law.