Despite the fact that the gambling market in Ukraine was legalized back in 2020, until mid-January 2022, CRAIL issued only one license to conduct betting activities. The difference with gambling is colossal, if we remember that in 2021 the regulator issued 40 licenses for -hralni-avtomaty" style="text-decoration:none;" rel="external noopener"> casino in Lvov, Kiev, Odessa and other big cities, as well as more than 3780 – for gaming equipment.
The only licensed bookmaker for a long time was Parimatch, which was also noted for the implementation of several social projects, including the launch of the first service in Ukraine psychological support for gamblers. But, at the beginning of the coming year, two more organizers received the relevant permits. Vbet Ukraine LLC and Play Fun Investment LLC became new market participants, and the state budget received UAH 117 million. Also, these two organizers simultaneously issued licenses for opening virtual casinos, paying 25.35 million hryvnias to the treasury.
VBET is the UPL football title sponsor
It is interesting that the new licensed bookmaker Vbet was previously announced as a sponsor of the Ukrainian Football Premier League, cup tournaments, in particular the final match for the Super Cup between FC Dynamo and FC Shakhtar, as well as the national team and some clubs. At that time, the international company had a license to operate virtual casinos and poker rooms.
This is not the first such experience of the well-known organizer, since the brand has previously entered into a similar partnership agreement with the Armenian national championship and was a partner of the famous French FC Monaco. Experts positively assess the emergence of new players on the Ukrainian market, especially of such a scale. According to the company's representatives, it is serious about supporting not only Ukrainian football, but also domestic sports in general. Also, new players will influence the betting market, change bets on the next play-offs of the Ukrainian national team in the World Cup qualifiers.
According to the new agreement, the partnership is designed for 3 years. From the beginning of the next season, the UPL will receive a new logo and the name VBET League. The amounts that the sponsor plans to pay to the clubs have not yet been disclosed. Recall that the previous title sponsor Favbet paid $900,000 annually. But as the championship returns to a 16-team format, VBET will pay more.
