Best 10 eSports Bookmakers in Ukraine 2024 🇺🇦

In an ideal world, both welcome offers and continuous incentives would be available. The former should provide a player with a sizeable one-time incentive to get their account started. The latter should reward their ongoing commitment. This is an area where 1xBet and Bet365 really shine.

By ensuring that appropriate security measures are in place, the sportsbook can significantly assist in online safety. SSL encryption, firewalls, and the separation of client and corporate cash should all be included. It is also great to have two-factor authentication as an option for customers to protect their accounts. Both Unibet and Pinnacle are considered highly safe platforms in Ukraine.

History of esports betting in Ukraine

After Ukraine gained independence from Russian domination at the end of the Cold War in 1991, betting boomed. By the year 2000, Ukraine had approximately fifty venues with gambling machines due to a lack of clear legislation or regulations to govern operator operations. The vast majority concentrated around the capital city, Kyiv. The Olympic Casinos Company was a strong force, and patrons could bet in some of their more isolated locations.

What has changed in history to nowadays?

From the time the Soviets ruled the country, gambling was commonplace. There were gambling houses, and the golden age was in the 1990s when people enjoyed playing all of the table games and arcade games. But it was only a matter of time before the country began to see an increase in problem gambling. This was due to the lack of regulation at the time.

There was more of a free-for-all approach with few rules. This led to people betting and losing money even while they were winning. The rise of the black market or underground betting was also recognized by the government, which had no influence over this. According to research, the government's revenue was relatively low because 20% of the adult population gambled illegally.

Esports nowadays in Ukraine

Gambling became more popular in Ukraine when the Soviet Union fell apart, and the country obtained independence. People began to value eSports games, producing a stir. Ukraine intends to use its new regulatory framework to gain control of its market and increase revenue in the long run.

Regulated online gaming provides more competition for players. The licensed sites must compete not just with one another. The international locations, including eSports betting Czechia sites, are already dominating Ukraine's market.

Coming out of the ban

Ukraine's 11-year gambling ban had a significant impact on the country's online and offline betting industry. Nonetheless, President Volodymyr Zelensky's and the government's recent campaign, as well as the passage of law 2285-D, are encouraging signals. As a result of the new legal framework, bettors have begun to enjoy greater freedom of choice. The state will also benefit from the regulated market's taxation.

The goal of banning games of chance was to protect inhabitants from problem gambling, among other factors. There were also intentions to establish free zones on Ukrainian soil where online eSports betting could operate, but these were never executed.

As a result, much of the land-based betting industry has gone underground. Some of the best online providers for Ukrainian players are located outside the country. Among them, the best eSports betting sites Czechia operators continue to give services to their customers.

Future of esports betting in Ukraine

Given the current status of the local economy, the legalization of the Ukrainian gambling market, as previously said, might provide significant funds to the state budget. Stricter controls are expected to be implemented in Ukraine once the terrestrial and online gambling sectors are legalized.

Only operators with a fund of two million euros, for example, will be allowed to open gaming operations in this country. Ukraine recently approved several video game betting providers. There is therefore much expectation that they will improve over time to match those from other nations that are permitted to operate from offshore gaming zones.

Is Ukraine moving towards or against legalization?

The first Gaming Congress was held in Kyiv in 2015. Speakers from various nations shared their experiences in establishing the gambling industry in their respective countries and discussed how Ukraine might benefit from best practices in this sector.

Last year's event was dubbed the "Ukrainian Gaming Summit," and it was a huge success. Experts and investors from many of the world's leading gaming companies gathered to discuss the potential consequences of legalizing gambling in Ukraine. These meetings are signs of a country moving towards a more structured legalization of eSports betting and gambling in general.

Are casinos legal in Ukraine?

Online casinos must be based in Ukraine, and they must adhere to a set of tight guidelines in order to be considered legitimate. There are roughly 10 different types of licensing activities in the online gambling industry. Land-based and online casinos require separate licenses. The Ukrainian government has imposed strict regulations on casinos.

Esports legislation in Ukraine

All gaming, including land-based and online, was prohibited until 2020. A law banning all forms of gambling was established in 2009. Today, the new gaming law legalizes the most common forms of gambling. Casinos, internet casinos, betting shops (including online betting shops), slot-machine parlors, and online poker are now allowed, as long as they meet all of the regulations.

Even though there are no native Ukraine betting websites, this does not mean that Ukrainian gamblers are left out. They are continuously on the lookout for bookies who offer competitive odds, a wide range of sports and betting markets, and localized services.

So, any bookmaker looking to get into the Ukrainian market should focus on offering competitive odds, flexible deposit options with timely payouts, and a wide range of sports betting options, including football, hockey, and boxing.

It's also a plus to have the website translated into Ukrainian or Russian, provide UAH as a currency, and provide customer service in one of these languages, as it demonstrates interest in the region. Because football is the most popular sport in Ukraine, giving appealing odds for most of the major European football tournaments and football eSports is a winning ticket for bookmakers.

Betting acts in Ukraine

After the ban was lifted in 2020, the entire Ukrainian government set about licensing and reinstating betting operators. As a result of the country's licensing program, casinos, both land-based and online, can now provide betting and lottery tickets.

Only internet gaming is permitted for betting operators. There is no necessity for online casino or poker companies to collaborate with land-based casinos. For both land-based and online casinos, the government has begun issuing seven categories of primary licenses.

Ukrainian gamers will, in theory, be allowed to play legally and safely now. Ukrainians can also play on international websites. Checking out online eSports bookmakers is not restricted in any way. Only after asking for a specific license from the Commission are enterprises from the country allowed to offer gambling software to overseas casinos. The Gambling Law prohibits any monopoly from operating a land-based or internet betting operator.

Acts on playing offshore

There is nothing preventing bettors from contacting bookies that accept Ukrainian customers because no regulations have particularly addressed internet betting in the nation. Even though Ukrainian bookies were banned in 2009, there were no restrictions in place, such as blacklists or the government compelling ISPs to block certain bookmakers.

As a result, even without a VPN, players may visit the major international bookmakers. However, since some bookies have ceased accepting players from the nation, one should verify before attempting to use such sites.

Illegal casinos shut down

Returning to the ban, legislators noted an occasional increase in unlawful gaming. As a result, on December 20, 2019, Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers passed a resolution ordering the closure of all illegal casinos. Over 150 illegitimate lottery facilities were quickly raided and shut down overnight as a result of this.

Officials were able to recover up to 46 million UAH from the bank. The government has understood that bringing gaming under the microscope and keeping it on a tight leash may do wonders for the economy. As a result, they are considering it as a strategy of attracting capital. To carry out this plan, the government has considered establishing a casino city outside of Kyiv.

Ukraine players favorite games

Top Games

There have been major esport video games that have dominated the Ukrainian eSports market for nearly a decade. Dota 2 pits two teams of five players against each other on a three-lane square map. The objective is to be the first team to destroy the enemy team's base. Dota 2 is the game that is continually breaking tournament prize pool records.

Counter-Strike is a first-person shooter in which one squad attempts to explode a bomb in the enemy's base while the other tries to stop it. Each game lasts 30 rounds, with teams winning by either detonating the bomb, defusing the bomb, killing the opposing team, or running out of time.

FIFA is also wildly popular with punters.

Traditional Games' Inspiration

Because eSports betting is so comparable to regular sports betting, it's no wonder that games based on traditional sports include a plethora of betting options. They're also prevalent in the world of eSports. FIFA is the most well-known, and many football aficionados enjoy it.

Players can gamble on specific matches or their outcomes in FIFA, just like they can in real soccer betting. With the popular NBA 2K, there's something for basketball aficionados as well. Because it has its own TV channel and an electronic league, even notable basketball players frequently refer to it.

Payment methods in Ukraine

Because there are no local payment options for gambling in Ukraine, gamers must rely on overseas payment options to fund their accounts. Moving money to and from a bank account with credit cards is still not a good idea. For the time being, stick to e-wallets and enjoy the Ukraine betting without anxiety.

Virtually all online eSports betting sites accept debit or credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard. They're undoubtedly the most widespread and oldest way to pay for products because they feature rapid transfer times for both deposits and withdrawals.

Over the last decade, digital wallets have increased in popularity, with more and more suppliers being accepted by online eSports betting sites. Neteller and Skrill are the most well-known e-wallets offered to Ukraine players. However, PayPal and EcoPayz are also popular. Because they're designed to connect directly to a user's bank account, e-wallet accounts are relatively simple to set up.

Bank transfers are slow compared to e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. Crypto eSports betting sites are the appropriate payment choice for players who want fast deposits and withdrawals with ease and security.

FAQs

Can players new to eSports still bet?

Yes. All one needs is a phone or a PC, a solid internet connection to create an account with top eSports betting providers and start playing.

What are the best eSports betting sites?

Finding a proper eSports bookie who will have everything one needs can be a rather tricky task. The criteria range from the number of betting markets to the selection of available bets, payment methods, trustworthiness, and site reputation.

How can a player improve their odds of winning eSports wagers?

Watch and learn about eSports competitions to understand basic rules. Also, keep an eye on the news to find statistics on form, injuries, and other determinant factors.

Are eSports events streamed?

Yes. Almost all matches are streamed through the providers' site. Also, the streams are available on the largest eSports stream providers, such as Twitch.tv, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook.

What should players look for when choosing an eSports team to bet on?

Players should be mindful of whether the team has changed any members in their roster, and the team's recent form, among others. These will guide them to make informed decisions.

How do people win on eSports games?

The rules for winning eSports matches vary from game to game. Players should be, therefore, keen to read the terms and conditions of each eSports game before proceeding.

Most Popular eSports Bookies in Ukraine