The Ukrainian regulator Playcity has approved guidelines regarding mandatory spending limits for players in gambling and the time they can participate. The iGN editorial team highlights the key points:
- Before placing their first bet, players must set spending and time limits for a day, week, and month. Without these limits, operators are required to deny access to the game. Operators cannot set limits on behalf of the player.
- The responsibility for monitoring these limits lies with the operators, and violations can lead to financial penalties under the law.
- Spending limits are tied to the player's average monthly income, which the player determines independently. If no income is declared, it is considered zero, and the user will not be allowed to play.
- Upon reaching 75% of any limit, players are recommended to be warned. At 100%, the game must be stopped immediately, and the option to deposit further funds must be blocked.
- After 2 hours of continuous play, operators are required to pause the game for at least 15 minutes.
- Any decrease in limits by the player takes effect immediately, while increases cannot occur sooner than 24 hours later.
- The time limit is consumed from the moment of the first bet and is calculated per second. Breaks shorter than 15 minutes count towards the gaming time.
- Winnings do not restore the spending limit; all played amounts are still considered spent, and the winnings can only be counted as income from the following month.
- Daily, weekly, and monthly spending limits can be changed once per calendar month, while there are no frequency restrictions for time limits.
- The method of recording limits is chosen by the operator, but the player specifies the amounts themselves, and their choice must be documented either in writing or within the operator's system.
The maximum limit sizes are established by the order of the Ministry of Digital Transformation No. 207 dated December 26, 2025, and the requirements for combating gambling addiction are confirmed by the Cabinet of Ministers resolution No. 1370. Although the document is advisory in nature, the obligation for operators to prevent players without limits is enshrined in law.