Ukrainian blogger, actor and TV presenter Bogdan Shelyudyak was fined around 5.2 million hryvnias for the unlawful promotion of gambling. The breach was uncovered by the state agency PlayCity whilst monitoring social media. According to the regulator, the advertising content was posted on Sheludyak’s Instagram page @bushe8. A financial penalty was imposed on Bogdan Shelyudyak, a registered sole trader, for breaching the requirements of the law.
PlayCity has discovered an advert on Sheludyak’s Instagram
PlayCity reported that the breach had been detected on the blogger’s Instagram page @bushe8.
«A financial penalty of 5.2 million hryvnias has been imposed on sole trader Bohdan Shelyudyak for breaching the law,» according to a statement from the agency, as quoted by the Ukrainian media.
The regulator emphasised that the rules governing the advertising and promotion of gambling are set out in the Ukrainian Law «On Advertising» and are binding on all market participants and advertisers.
Meanwhile, in the announcement published by PlayCity It is not specified which gambling brand Sheludyak was promoting, nor in what format the content was published.
What is prohibited in gambling advertising
Ukrainian legislation imposes strict restrictions on the promotion of gambling. In particular, such advertising is prohibited from featuring well-known figures — media personalities, cultural figures, public figures and people who regularly disseminate information to a wide audience via their own accounts for profit. An exception is made for sportspeople.
PlayCity It also considers the following to be signs of unlawful advertising: the posting of gambling content on social media in breach of the established rules; the absence of licence details; warnings about the risk of gambling addiction; and calls to gamble or promises of quick wins.
A financial penalty will be imposed on those who breach the rules on gambling advertising in 2026 5,188,200 UAH — This is the exact amount that PlayCity refers to as the standard penalty once the person responsible has been identified.
PlayCity is tightening controls on casino advertising
Fine Sheludyak became part of a wider campaign by the regulator against the illegal promotion of gambling on social media.
PlayCity works directly with Meta, Google, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, Viber and other platforms. Once a breach has been identified, the agency may initiate the blocking of content or an account, and then identifies the person responsible for the advert and imposes financial penalties.
In its first year of operation, the agency has already imposed sanctions on 16 bloggers and media outlets for the unlawful advertising of gambling. The regulator also systematically refers pages containing such content to digital platforms for blocking.
The case involving Bohdan Shelyudyak has thus become yet another example of the increasing accountability of influencers for advertising the gambling industry on social media.
