UGC Calls on Google to Lift Gambling Ad Ban in Ukraine

In a stunning display of political genius, the Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC) is urging Google to lift its restrictions on advertising legal gambling operators in Ukraine—all while the country grapples with a war. It seems that politicians everywhere share a common goal: lining their pockets at the expense of legitimate businesses and the public's well-being.

The UGC argues that Google's current policy, which treats Ukraine as a jurisdiction where all gambling (except lotteries) is banned, benefits illegal operators while stifling legal businesses and tax revenue. By blocking advertisements from licensed Ukrainian gambling operators, Google is inadvertently paving the way for unscrupulous entities to thrive. These illegal operators can easily exploit loopholes by shifting domain names and jurisdictions, leaving the legitimate businesses to suffer.

Despite having the proper state permits and investing heavily in marketing, including sports sponsorships, licensed operators find themselves unable to promote their services online. This not only leads to significant customer loss but also reduces tax revenues for the state—something that seems lost on the politicians making these decisions.

Interestingly, the UGC points out that lottery operators, whose licenses expired back in 2014, are still allowed to operate and advertise freely. These operators continue to imitate various forms of gambling without proper licences or tax contributions, further complicating the situation.

In light of these issues, the UGC has reached out to Google's regional office, seeking permission for licensed operators to advertise various gambling activities—including casino games, betting, and poker—on Google platforms. They are also requesting the ability to promote mobile gambling applications.

In the midst of a war, this push for gambling ads highlights the absurdity of prioritising profits over the pressing needs of the nation. It's a classic example of how politicians everywhere seem more focused on filling their own pockets than on addressing the real issues at hand.