On March 26, 2026, Ukraine took a structural step in consolidating its gaming industry by accrediting Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) as the first international laboratory authorized to conduct testing, inspection, and certification across the entire gaming ecosystem under its regulatory framework.
Certification will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of PlayCity, a key authority within Ukraine’s regulatory system, and will cover gaming hardware, software, online platforms, and random number generators (RNGs). GLI will operate through its European hub, ensuring compliance with mandatory international standards: ISO/IEC 17025, 17020, and 17065.
These standards are not procedural, they are structural. ISO/IEC 17025 ensures the technical accuracy of laboratory testing; ISO/IEC 17020 governs independent inspection processes; and ISO/IEC 17065 certifies products for legal market entry. Together, they establish a clear condition: without certification, no operation is permitted.
Deployment will be led in the region by James Boje, Managing Director for Europe at GLI, overseeing operations across EMEIA and reinforcing Ukraine’s alignment with global regulatory standards. GLI, which operates in more than 700 jurisdictions, brings a globally standardized validation model into the Ukrainian market.
James Boje, Managing Director for Europe at GLI
The impact is immediate. Ukraine transitions from a formal regulatory framework to a system of verifiable technical control, closing oversight gaps and raising entry barriers. This strengthens market integrity while enabling international operators and suppliers to enter under consistent, transparent conditions.
From an economic standpoint, certification becomes the core of the market—defining who can operate, how technology is validated, and under what conditions investment flows.
Beyond regulation, Ukraine is building the technical infrastructure for a sustainable gaming sector.
