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Online Betting in Ukraine – Our Expert Guide

Are you interested in trying sports betting in Ukraine? Then you’ll love our expert guide to Ukraine betting sites. Our team has put together a list of the best sports betting sites for Ukrainian bettors.

We’ve also included all the information you need to bet with confidence, from a guide to Ukraine’s online gambling laws to coverage of popular sports and common payment methods.

Best Betting Companies in Ukraine – October 2024

4.5/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 493 people this week
Up To $1000 Welcome Bonus
Terms and conditions: The bonus code is only valid for a new customer's first deposit and must be redeemed immediately after the deposit and before a wager has been placed. The sum of the deposit and the bonus are subject to rollover requirements of 8x at min. odds of -200 (1.5) before a new bonus can be redeemed or a withdrawal can be made. Max. $1000 of each bet count towards the rollover requirements. Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bank Transfer
Neteller
Paysafecard
Skrill
Bitcoin
+5

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • AUD
  • CAD
  • USD
  • Competitive sign-up and promotional offers
  • Excellent statistics section to aid customers
  • Pain-free deposit options
  • Accepts both high and low limit bettors
  • Lengthy and expensive withdrawal procedure
4.5/5
Rated by 267 users
Claimed by 424 people this week
125% up to $3,125
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bitcoin
American Express
Moneygram
Ethereum
Litecoin

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • LTC
  • ETH
  • Premier destination for US bettors
  • Racebook covering daily races
  • Esports and virtual sports markets
  • In-depth sports stats and tips
  • Intuitive live betting markets
  • Limited withdrawal options
4.6/5
Rated by 504 users
Claimed by 340 people this week
Get 125% Deposit Boost to bet on sports up to $1250
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Paypal
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Dogecoin
Ripple
+4

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • LTC
  • XRP
  • Deposit and bet using BTC
  • Choose from 25,000+ markets
  • Bet in-play on a huge range of sports
  • Get paid quickly with no fuss
  • Friendly customer support agents
4.57/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 370 people this week
100% Up To $1000
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Bitcoin
BitcoinCash
MasterCard
Person to Person
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • LTC
  • USD
  • Generous bonuses and promotions
  • Great range of betting markets
  • Extensive racebook
  • Very good customer service
  • Only a few withdrawal options
  • Fees for withdrawing funds
4.62/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 286 people this week
100% Up to $1000 + $25 casino chip
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bitcoin

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • Trusted by publications such as ESPN
  • Access a dedicated racing section
  • Crypto-friendly sportsbook
  • Adjust odds format and time zone
  • Support options include call back
  • Quite low sportsbook limits
4.5/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 192 people this week
50% Up To $1000
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Bank Wire
Bitcoin
Cheque
Discover
MasterCard
Neteller
Skrill
+1

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • USD
  • Accepts players from all over the world
  • Known for their live betting offers
  • Lots of secure banking options
  • Great bonuses and promotions
  • High fees for some deposit options
  • Support agents are often slow to reply
4.5/5
Rated by 313 users
Claimed by 177 people this week
50% Up to $250
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Amex
Bitcoin
MasterCard
Rapidtransfer
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • Top-rated US online sportsbook
  • Mobile site for iOS and Android users
  • Diverse range of betting markets
  • Excellent customer support options
  • Lines come out very late in the day
  • Odds not as favorable as other books
4.5/5
Rated by 232 users
Claimed by 251 people this week
15% up to $600
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Amex
Bank Wire
Bitcoin
Cheque
MasterCard
Neteller
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BPS
  • CAD
  • EUR
  • Popular book that accepts large max bets
  • Huge focus on football and basketball
  • High-spec live in-play platform available
  • Downloadable client for Windows & Mac
  • Odds are not amazing on non-US sports
  • User interface could be improved

Is Online Betting Legal in Ukraine?

Online betting in Ukraine is now legal and regulated throughout the country. However, this is only because of recent changes in the legal situation in the country, which ushered in a new era for those who want to place bets in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government passed a nearly blanket ban on all forms of gambling, including online betting, in 2009. But that changed in August 2020 with the passage of a new bill, legalising the “State Regulation of the Activities Related to the Organisation and Conduct of Gambling Games”. The Ukrainian parliament passed the law by a 248-95 vote, after which president Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the bill.

First Licences Issued in 2021

The new law allowed licencing for both online betting in Ukraine and land-based betting activities. Under regulations finalised later in 2020, the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL) became responsible for licencing legal Ukrainian betting sites, including online sports betting, internet casinos and poker rooms.

KRAIL issued its first licence in February 2021, when Spaceiks – which operates the Cosmolot gaming brand – earned that honour. Cosmolot once ran the Ukrainian National Lottery, though that arrangement was discontinued in 2019. Parimatch soon joined it to become the second approved operator in the country.

Regulations and Tax Rates

While KRAIL can award licenses to a variety of domestic and foreign operators, there are some restrictions. Notably, operators cannot have any Russian citizens or residents acting as officers or shareholders for their company. Shareholders from Iran and North Korea are also barred.

In addition, any business that wants to offer sports betting in Ukraine must form a business within the country before receiving a licence. The new laws also set the minimum legal age to gamble at 21.

While lawmakers considered several tax regimes, they ultimately settled on a flat 10% rate throughout all forms of betting, both online and live. Operators are also subjected to the standard 18% general corporate tax rate.

Where Can Ukrainians Bet Online?

Ukrainian bettors are free to open accounts with the legal Ukraine betting sites that are springing up under the new regulations. However, many international bookmakers also market their websites to Ukrainians, and many people in the country bet at these sites every day.

However, now that the Ukrainian government plans to regulate and tax the gambling industry, it has attempted to take steps in restricting access to these foreign sites. In 2020, Ukrainian courts ordered ISPs to block access to 59 online gambling websites, a list that included many of the most popular options in the country. That was just the latest round of blocks in the government’s ongoing efforts to steer users away from international operators.

However, many players from Ukraine continue to use these foreign operators, and likely will do so even as more regulated sites become available. That’s because there are several good reasons for using these international betting sites. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of using a foreign bookmaker.

Flag of Ukraine

Advantages of International Betting Sites

More Attractive Odds

More Attractive Odds

Foreign betting sites aren’t subjected to the same taxes and fees as betting companies in Ukraine. That means they can make a profit while still offering you better payouts on all your bets.

Betting Bonus Offers

Betting Bonus Offers

If you’re looking for the biggest and most lucrative bonuses, you’ll want to check out international operators. They don’t face as many restrictions and can afford to give away more in deposit matches, free bets, and other promotions than their Ukrainian counterparts.

More Payment Options

More Payment Options

Foreign companies have the freedom to get creative with their deposit and withdrawal methods. That means you’ll see more alternative options, like cryptocurrencies, prepaid options, and workarounds that might help you if you can’t use traditional banking.

More Betting Markets

More Betting Markets

Regulated sports betting sites in Ukraine offer a wide variety of betting options, must adhere to rules that place some limits on their offerings. Foreign sites can offer even more markets when it comes to esports betting, entertainment betting, or even Ukraine elections betting.

Fewer Regulatory Headaches

Fewer Regulatory Headaches

The regulated market offers safety for players, but also comes with greater burdens for both users and operators when it comes to account verification and other anti-fraud issues. While international sites still follow Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, they are often less intrusive than on licenced Ukrainian sites.

How to Deposit at Sports Betting Sites in Ukraine

It’s easy to make deposits at our list of online betting sites in Ukraine. Our recommended operators offer a wide range of banking options that can accommodate your needs, no matter what financial tools you have available to you.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular Ukrainian deposit options we’ve found at online sports betting sites.

WebMoney

WebMoney

WebMoney stands out as a popular deposit option at Ukraine betting sites. Initially used mainly in Russia, WebMoney has become the most popular e-wallet in Eastern Europe. You can fund your WebMoney account through a vast range of methods. You can even choose to deposit in Ukrainian hryvnia rather than converting your funds to Euros or US dollars.

Qiwi

Qiwi

Qiwi is another popular e-wallet solution based out of Russia. Launched in 2007, Qiwi supports over 20 different payment methods and is primarily used in Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan. One benefit of Qiwi is that it is widely accepted in the region not only for sports betting in Ukraine, but also at thousands of different merchants outside the gambling industry as well.

NETELLER

NETELLER

Speaking of e-wallets, there may be none that are more popular in the world of online betting than NETELLER. This widely accepted deposit and withdrawal method offers its services in Ukraine, and works with many funding methods, making it ideal for players who want to use one banking option at several gambling sites.

Credit/Debit Cards

Credit/Debit Cards

Credit cards are also a common deposit method in Ukraine. Betting sites accept all the major credit and debit card brands, including big names like Visa, MasterCard, and Maestro. Some sites even process payments through Discover and American Express. Be aware, however, that some individual banks may not allow their cards to be used for online gambling transactions.

Ukraine national football team

Popular Sports for Betting Online in Ukraine

Ukrainian bettors enjoy watching and gambling on a wide range of sports. Of course, there are a few sports that are prevalent in the country. Here’s a look at a few of the most common games that gamblers look for when it comes to sports betting in Ukraine.

Football

Football

Football is the world’s most popular sport, and that’s also true in Ukraine. From Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk to the Ukrainian national team, football in Ukraine is a passion shared by the entire country. Of course, bettors can not only bet on the Ukrainian Premier League but also on major and minor football competitions across the globe, including international events like the Champions League and World Cup.

Basketball

Basketball

Ukraine may not be a basketball powerhouse, but the sport is very popular in the country. Ukraine has produced a handful of NBA players along with others who play in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague or other locations in Europe. Sportsbooks in Ukraine offer odds on the NBA, EuroLeague, and the USL, along with international competitions such as EuroBasket and the FIBA World Championship.

Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey has grown in popularity since the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine was formed in 1992. Since 2016, the Ukrainian Hockey League has provided the highest level of club play in the country. The best Ukraine betting sites offer odds on the NHL, KHL, and other top leagues, along with international play all the way up through the Winter Olympics.

Boxing

Boxing

Ukraine has produced an astounding number of boxing world champions. Those include the Klitschko brothers, Vasyl Lomachenko, and Oleksandr Usyk, among many other titleholders. Boxing betting is big business in Ukraine too, with cards from around the world available at the best betting sites operating in the country.

Tennis

Tennis

While tennis was once simply a fun pastime in Ukraine, the country has produced several top professional players in recent years. That’s true on the women’s side, where Elina Svitolina has ranked as high as No. 3 in the world. From the ATP and WTA to lower-level competitions such as the Challengers and ITF tours, tennis betting is widely available at sportsbooks in Ukraine.

Esports

Esports

Esports betting is one of the fastest growing markets for gambling worldwide, and that’s true in Ukraine as well. There are several great CS:GO betting sites available in the country, and there are plenty of betting markets for other popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and StarCraft 2.

Wooden gavel and map of Ukraine

The History of Sports Betting in Ukraine

Gambling flourished in Ukraine after the country gained its independence from Russian rule at the end of the Cold War in 1991. Without specific laws or regulations to control operator practices, there were nearly 50 venues with gaming machines in Ukraine by the year 2000 (the vast majority concentrated around the capital Kiev). The Olympic Casinos group were a dominant force and in some of their more remote locations, customers could play casino style table games such as roulette, blackjack and poker.

In 2003, the government made the decision to regulate and control gambling in the country. The draft law N 4204 “On Gambling Games in Ukraine” was created and permitted the following types of games to be played at licenced operators:

  • Bingo
  • Totalizator (horse racing)
  • Cylindrical games (including roulette)
  • Cards or dice
  • Slot machines

For some reason, sports betting was not covered in the draft legislation.

Parliament Outlaws Gambling

Despite the new laws and regulations, unlicensed gambling was rife, with thousands of salons around the country allowing underage gamblers to play at their venue. Everything came to a head in 2009 when a fire at a Ukrainian gambling hall killed 9 people.

As a result, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko prohibited all forms of gambling, claiming it was demoralising the country’s youth and was only making families who had been hit by the economic recession even poorer. “On Prohibition of Gambling Business in Ukraine” stated that ‘any placing of bets in which the outcome is found to be determined by chance in whole or in part is considered gambling under the law, and is banned, except where permitted by law’.

Poker was a point of contention, as it was considered a sport, and was initially exempt from the new laws. However, the government rescinded this decision at the end of 2009, to much objection. Eventually, the Ukrainian Supreme Court ruled in favour of the poker industry, deciding it was a sport and was legal, thus paving the way for a plethora of poker rooms to reopen.

Although online gambling in Ukraine was illegal at the time, that did not stop citizens from betting, as most of the major bookmakers from around the world accepted clients from the country. Anti-gambling laws may be strict on paper, but without a strong censorship program (like Russia or Belarus), actually eradicating online gambling was an unrealistic goal.

Legislature Passes Bill to Legalise Gambling

In a promising turn of events, in June 2014, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk made a statement where he claimed the country needed to legalise gambling to bring additional revenue into the country. “It’s absolutely necessary to adopt the law on the legalization of gambling and to obtain additional revenue to the budget of the country”, Yatsenyuk said. It was widely accepted that underground gambling was rife, and that the country might as well benefit from regulating and taxing the industry.

It wouldn’t be until 2020 that Ukraine eventually legalised and regulated online gambling, as a part of more sweeping gambling legislation that also allowed for land-based gaming facilities. The new regime represents an effort by the Ukrainian government to rein in both the underground gambling facilities throughout the country and foreign online betting sites by offering licensed alternatives for gamblers in Ukraine.

The Future of Online Betting in Ukraine

As the new regulatory framework comes into place and more licences are awarded, the hope is that the government will take more control over online betting in Ukraine. While it’s unlikely that officials will ever be able to prevent Ukrainians from betting on foreign sites, more rounds of mandated ISP blocks are certain to come, and regulated sites will have the edge in name recognition and advertising within the country.

Ultimately, Ukraine hopes to both control its market and raise revenue through its new regulatory system. In the long run, players will benefit from the added competition from regulated online gambling, as the licenced sites must not only fight amongst each other but also compete against the international sites that currently dominate the Ukrainian market.

FAQs

Is betting legal in Ukraine?

Yes, online betting in Ukraine is legal. Recent laws have allowed for the regulation of betting sites in Ukraine, meaning fully licensed and legalised sites are now active in the country. In addition, many foreign sites offer betting to Ukrainians as well. You can find our list of the best Ukraine betting sites right here on this page.

Can punters from Ukraine access foreign betting sites?

Yes, Ukrainian gamblers can place bets on several international betting sites. In fact, many of the best Ukrainian betting sites are based outside the country. These foreign operators can often offer betting odds, larger bonuses, and a wider range of betting markets than their locally regulated counterparts.

Are betting exchanges available in Ukraine?

Yes, you can play at foreign betting exchanges in Ukraine. Currently, there are no locally licensed betting exchanges operating in Ukraine. However, many international operators accept Ukrainian players. That means that you can back or lay your favourite teams and players against other bettors if you prefer that to taking the odds set by sportsbooks in Ukraine.
Q.

Do I need to pay taxes on my winnings at Ukrainian bookmakers?

A.
Under Ukraine’s new gambling law that was passed in 2020, some gambling winnings are taxed as income. However, this only apples to winnings greater than eight months of minimum wage earnings. At the time of writing, that would be UAH 48,000. Smaller wins are not taxable under current law. For more details on your potential tax liability, consult a local Ukrainian accountant or tax expert.