Maksym Karyzhskyi, publisher of the specialized outlet The Pharma Media and a consultant linked to the Darnitsa pharmaceutical company, has proposed imposing severe restrictions on the gambling industry in Ukraine. In an op-ed column, he called for a complete block on online gambling for the duration of martial law. The initiative has sparked widespread debate, as industry analysts view it as an effort to redistribute market share toward the state lottery sector, which remains exempt from such bans.
Ukrainian law strictly separates different areas of the gambling market. While online casinos, bookmakers, and poker platforms operate under Law No. 768-IX, state lotteries fall under Law No. 5204-VI and are formally not classified as gambling.
Because of this distinction, newly enacted player spending limits (15% of average monthly income per day, 25% per week, and 40% per month) do not apply to state lotteries. If online casino platforms face a complete operational freeze, player traffic and capital are expected to shift to lottery operators, whose services will remain accessible and legal.
Among the primary beneficiaries of potential gambling bans is the Ukrainian National Lottery (UNL). In February, the company became the first operator to secure an updated license, contributing 24.2 million UAH to the state budget. According to YouControl corporate records, UNL is officially owned by HongKong Rui Bo Investment Limited and Michael John Foggo. However, investigative reports have repeatedly tied the enterprise to businessman Gleb Zagoriy, beneficiary of the Darnitsa pharmaceutical firm.
Historical connections between lottery entities and the broader gambling segment also persist. The company UNL Games (later renamed Rich Club) previously secured an online casino license under the National Cup brand after paying a 31.2 million UAH fee, before subsequently changing its ownership structure.
«Restricting access to online casinos and sportsbooks will not eliminate gambling demand — player funds will simply flow into adjacent, legally distinct channels.»
Analysts interpret Karyzhskyi’s proposal as part of a coordinated communication campaign. The author is connected to pharmaceutical interests via The Pharma Media, an outlet historically linked to the digital domain and archives of the Vashe Zdorovya newspaper (formerly owned by the Zagoriy family).
Moving forward, political observers anticipate that the arguments presented in the column could serve as a foundation for upcoming legislative proposals aimed at tightening regulations on the online gambling market.