FIRST Casino — review of Ukrainian online casino with KRAIL license

FIRST Casino (first.ua) is a Ukrainian online casino operating since 2020 and obtaining an official KRAIL license in February 2021. Over five years on the market, the operator has managed to occupy a notable place among licensed Ukrainian platforms, focusing on a local audience: the only currency is hryvnia, the interface is exclusively in Ukrainian, support in Ukrainian and Russian, deposits through Privat24 and local banking services. In this review, we will analyze FIRST in detail across all key parameters that players usually evaluate when assessing a casino: license and security, game and provider selection, bonus policy, payment methods, mobile version, support and real reviews.

Final rating from the GamblingShot team — 7.2 out of 10. This is a solid "middle-of-the-road" offering with a strong side in the form of a Ukrainian license and local infrastructure, but with certain limitations: a narrow pool of providers (about 50 versus 100+ at top international brands), a single currency, only one interface language, and a fairly modest set of payment methods (about five categories). Below is a detailed breakdown across 14 key sections.

1. License, Regulation and Security

The main advantage of FIRST Casino is its legal status in Ukraine. The operator TOV "FYORST ELEMENT" received a license from the Commission on Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL) by decision No. 56 dated February 18, 2021. The license was issued for five years effective February 26, 2021, and renews in February 2026. This means that at the time of this review's publication, the casino operates legally in Ukraine, pays taxes to the state budget, and any disputes between players and the operator can be addressed within the framework of Ukrainian law.

What does a KRAIL license give a player in practice?

• Legal Protection. In case of a conflict with the casino, a player can appeal to the regulator rather than seek justice in Curaçao or Costa Rica jurisdictions, where the process is practically endless.
• Transparent Terms. Licensed casinos are required to publish rules, bonus terms, withdrawal policies and operator contact information.
• Verification with Ukrainian Documents. KYC is conducted using a passport or ID card of a Ukrainian citizen, without long waits and document translations.
• Tax Withholding by the Operator. Under current Ukrainian law, taxes on winnings at licensed casinos are withheld by the operator itself, which relieves the player of some paperwork.
• Real Office and Real Company. FIRST is backed by a legal entity registered in Ukraine — this is fundamentally different from anonymous offshore platforms.

In addition to the license, the first.ua website uses SSL encryption (HTTPS), and payment operations go through verified processing companies. Player data, including passport and banking details, are stored in encrypted form. The casino declares principles of responsible gambling: there is the ability to set limits on deposits, session time, and self-exclusion.

2. Welcome Bonus and Current Promotions

FIRST Casino pursues a fairly aggressive bonus campaign for new players. The base welcome package is advertised as up to 250,000 ₴ + 500 free spins, distributed across several first deposits. In different periods, the operator ran promotions with an increased number of free spins — up to 1,300 — on the first three or four top-ups. The exact terms of the welcome bonus should be checked in the "Promotions" section directly before registration, as they are updated periodically.

What is important to know about FIRST bonuses:

• Wagering. According to current data, bonus playthrough is x15 — this is significantly easier than the standard x35–x40 at most international casinos. For the Ukrainian market, x15 is one of the best rates.
• Maximum Bet During Playthrough. During active wagering, the bet is limited (usually to 80–100 ₴ per spin) to prevent "grinding through" the playthrough with one large bet.
• Playthrough Time Frame. Usually, a bonus must be played through within 7 days of activation. If you don't make it — the unplayed portion expires.
• Games Participating in Playthrough. Most slots count at 100%, table games and live casino — partially or not at all. The list of excluded providers is published in the bonus rules.
• Free Spins. Free spins are usually awarded in batches of 20–50 per day and work on specific slots (most often Book of Ra, Dog House, Gates of Olympus or similar from Pragmatic Play).

In addition to the welcome package, FIRST regularly launches:

• Weekly cashback for regular players (up to 10–15% of net weekly losses).
• Tournaments with prize funds in hryvnia and free spins.
• Weekend deposit reloads (reload bonuses).
• Birthday promotions with a personal gift.
• Level Up loyalty program — with levels, comp points, and individual VIP conditions.

3. Game Catalog and Providers

By our calculations and independent review data, FIRST Casino has approximately 3,300+ games from approximately 50 providers. This is an average indicator for the Ukrainian market: international giants like Casino.com or LeoVegas offer 5,000–8,000 games from 100+ providers, but in the context of KRAIL-licensed casinos, FIRST is in the upper half by selection.

Key Slot Providers

The library includes virtually all top developers available in the Ukrainian market:

• Pragmatic Play — Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush, Big Bass Bonanza, The Dog House Megaways.
• NetEnt — Starburst, Gonzo's Quest, Dead or Alive 2, Reactoonz.
• Amusnet (formerly EGT) — popular in Ukraine classic slots like 40 Super Hot, Burning Hot, Shining Crown.
• Red Tiger — Pirates' Plenty, Dragon's Luck, Reel King Mega.
• Big Time Gaming — original high-volatility Megaways slots.
• Playson, Quickspin, Thunderkick, Yggdrasil, ELK Studios — European studios with their own following.
• Wazdan, BGaming, Spinomenal — active players in the post-Soviet space.

Live Casino

The live dealer section is represented primarily by Evolution — the world leader in the segment. Players have access to:

• Classic tables: Blackjack, European Roulette, Baccarat, Casino Hold'em.
• Game shows: Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, Dream Catcher, Mega Ball, Lightning Roulette.
• VIP tables with higher limits (from 500 ₴ per bet).
• Ukrainian tables are not yet available — dealers conduct games in English, which may be a disadvantage for players without language knowledge.

Table Games and Video Poker

In addition to Live, the catalog includes RNG versions of roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker. A separate section highlights video poker (Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and similar). The selection here is standard and is not a strong point for FIRST — if you come to a casino specifically for table games, international platforms may be more interesting.

Progressive Jackpot Slots

The catalog includes progressive jackpot slots from NetEnt (Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods) and other providers. The jackpot amounts are updated in real time, and at the time of this review, the page had active prize pools in the hundreds of thousands of hryvnia.

4. Payment Methods and Currencies

The payment section is one of the most limited sides of FIRST. Unlike international casinos with dozens of e-wallets and cryptocurrencies, FIRST focuses on Ukrainian banking services and a couple of international solutions. Approximately five main categories of methods are supported:

1. Visa / Mastercard Bank Cards. A classic method familiar to most Ukrainian players. Deposits are credited instantly, withdrawals — up to 48 hours.
2. Privat24 and Internet Banking of Other Ukrainian Banks. Convenient for those using PrivatBank, Monobank or UKRSIBbank. Transfers are instant, no commission on the casino side.
3. Apple Pay and Google Pay. A quick way to top up from your smartphone with a single touch. Supported for deposits only.
4. Bank Transfer (IBAN). Used for large withdrawals to a bank account. Processing time — 1–3 business days.
5. Alternative Methods. In different periods, the operator has added terminals, SMS payments and separate Ukrainian payment systems. The list changes, and some reviews mention cryptocurrency options, but in the current website version, this section is not highlighted.

Currency

FIRST Casino supports only one currency — hryvnia (UAH). This is logical for a casino with a KRAIL license: the Ukrainian regulator does not issue permits for multi-currency accounts. The plus of this approach is the absence of conversion and associated losses. The minus is that if your account is in dollars or euros, your bank will automatically convert the funds at its rate, usually not the most favorable.

Limits

The stated minimum deposit is 100 ₴, which is comfortable for players with any budget. The minimum withdrawal is also 100 ₴ for some methods, although for bank transfers it may start from 300 ₴. Maximum limits depend on the player's loyalty program status and the chosen method: for newcomers, the ceiling is usually 50,000–100,000 ₴ per day, for VIP — up to 500,000 ₴ and higher.

5. Speed of Withdrawals

Withdrawal speed is one of the most sensitive issues for players. FIRST declares a standard processing time for a withdrawal request of up to 48 hours from submission. After approval by the financial department, the money is transferred to the card or account within hours — depending on the recipient bank.

In practice, timelines can vary:

• Verified Players with withdrawal experience usually receive money within 2–12 hours. Payments to Ukrainian cards arrive the same day.
• First Withdrawal may take longer — the operator additionally checks documents and source of funds. This is standard KYC practice, not a delay.
• Large Withdrawals (from 50,000 ₴) go through the financial department with manual review. Time — 24–48 hours.
• Weekends and Holidays may increase processing time: financial staff work on a standard schedule.

There are no withdrawal commissions from the casino. However, the card-issuing bank may charge its own commission for crediting — this is outside the operator's control.

6. Verification (KYC)

The verification procedure at FIRST is standard for a licensed Ukrainian casino. A player must confirm their identity before the first withdrawal (sometimes before the second or third, if the amount was small):

1. Scan or quality photo of a passport or ID card of a Ukrainian citizen.
2. Proof of residence (utility bill, bank statement, certificate — document not older than 3 months).
3. Selfie with document in hand — for identity verification.
4. In some cases — scan of the card used for deposits (front side with middle digits covered).

Typically, the procedure takes from a few hours to one business day. If all documents are correct and legible, customer support confirms verification and unlocks withdrawal. For players with Ukrainian registration, verification proceeds faster and without bureaucratic delays.

7. Mobile Version and Application

FIRST Casino offers two options for mobile players:

• Mobile Web Version. A fully adapted first.ua website works in any smartphone or tablet browser. The layout is responsive, the menu is compact, all sections are accessible from the main screen. Page load speed is on par with desktop.
• Android Application (APK). The official .apk file can be downloaded directly from the casino website — Ukrainian casino apps are usually not available on Google Play due to store policy. The app provides the same capabilities as the web version but launches faster and has better navigation.
• iOS Application. In different periods, the operator published an iOS app — it can be installed via TestFlight or a special developer profile. Ukrainian casinos are not available in the App Store for the same reasons.

In our experience, the mobile web version is the most stable and universal option: it doesn't require installation and updates automatically. The app makes sense to download if you play daily and want push notifications about new promotions.

8. Customer Support

Support is one of FIRST's strong sides. The casino offers multiple contact channels available around the clock:

• Live Chat on the Website. The main channel. Operators respond within an average of 1–3 minutes and operate in Ukrainian and Russian. Available 24/7 without days off.
• Email. For non-urgent questions and document submission. Response — usually within a few hours during business hours.
• Callback. You can leave your phone number via a form on the website, and an operator will call back at a convenient time. Useful for resolving financial issues.
• Telegram Channel. The operator runs an official Telegram channel with promotions, promo codes and tournament announcements.

In our experience, FIRST's support quality is above average for the Ukrainian market. Operators don't shy away from difficult questions, provide links to rules, and help with setting responsible gambling limits. Language barrier is practically non-existent: Ukrainian and Russian are handled equally.

9. Level Up Loyalty Program

Regular FIRST Casino players are offered a loyalty program called Level Up. The principle is standard for the industry: the more you play (and lose), the higher your level and the better your conditions. New privileges open at each level:

• Increased weekly cashback (from 5% at the start to 15% at high levels).
• Individual bonuses and birthday gifts.
• Increased withdrawal limits.
• Personal VIP manager at higher levels.
• Invitations to closed tournaments and offline events.
• Accelerated payment processing.

To move to the next level, a player needs to accumulate a certain amount of comp points, which are credited for real money bets. Slots usually give the maximum percentage, live casino and table games — less or not counted at all.

10. Responsible Gambling

As a licensed operator, FIRST Casino must comply with responsible gambling principles. Self-control tools are available on the website:

• Deposit Limits — you can set a daily, weekly, or monthly ceiling on top-ups.
• Betting Limits — limiting the maximum size of a single bet.
• Session Time Limit — automatic logout after a set play time.
• Time Out — temporary self-exclusion for 24 hours, a week or a month.
• Self-Exclusion — complete account lock for a period from 6 months to indefinite.
• Links to Support Organizations — contacts of Ukrainian support centers for people with gambling addiction.

All these features are configured in your personal account and take effect immediately upon saving. To cancel a set limit, you can only request support and must wait a mandatory 24-hour "pause" — this is done so the player can't remove restrictions in a moment of emotion and continue playing.

11. Account Registration and Verification

Creating an account at FIRST takes a few minutes. You need to specify:

1. Mobile phone number (Ukrainian operator).
2. Email address.
3. Password.
4. Account currency (UAH only).
5. Confirmation of adulthood (21+ per Ukrainian law).
6. Agreement with rules and privacy policy.

After initial registration, the account is already active — you can top up and start playing. Full verification is required before withdrawing winnings: at this stage the casino will request a passport, proof of residence and a selfie. In our experience, players with Ukrainian passports have this step completed without issues.

12. Pros and Cons of FIRST Casino

13. Comparison of FIRST with Competitors on the Ukrainian Market

To understand FIRST's place in the ecosystem of Ukrainian casinos, let's compare it with the nearest competitors also operating under KRAIL license:

Main conclusion: FIRST loses to international casinos in scale — fewer games, providers, currencies and payment methods. But wins in convenience for the Ukrainian player: taxes are withheld automatically, payments go through familiar Ukrainian banks, support responds in Ukrainian, and the license operates in a jurisdiction where a player has real legal recourse. For an audience that plays in hryvnia and doesn't want to deal with crypto and offshore platforms, FIRST is a rational choice.

14. Player Reviews and Reputation

FIRST Casino's reputation in the Ukrainian segment is moderately positive. On thematic forums and review aggregators, neutral-positive ratings predominate. Players most often note the following points:

Positive Reviews:

• Fast payouts to Ukrainian cards — money usually arrives within a day of verification.
• Adequate customer support — operators don't dodge questions and help with technical issues.
• Convenient interface — everything in one language, no browser translation needed.
• Lots of promotions and tournaments — regular players get consistent bonuses and cashback.
• Fair KYC — no unjustified account blocks before withdrawal.

Negative Reviews:

• Strict bonus playthrough conditions — you can't make large bets during active wagering.
• Limited payment method selection — no cryptocurrencies and international e-wallets.
• No multilingual support — Russian-speaking players not reading Ukrainian may have difficulties with rules.
• Periodic technical glitches in mobile app after updates.
• No VIP club at the level of top international brands.

Overall, most conflicts are resolved through customer support or directly through KRAIL. We found no cases of money "disappearing" or intentional refusal to pay in the public domain — for a licensed Ukrainian casino, this is the norm, and FIRST meets it.

Final Rating and Verdict

FIRST Casino is one of the solid representatives of the Ukrainian licensed market. Over five years of operation, the operator has built a stable infrastructure: transparent KRAIL license, fast payouts to Ukrainian cards, adequate support, acceptable game selection from top providers, and working mobile apps. All this makes the casino a comfortable choice for the Ukrainian audience.

At the same time, FIRST remains a "local" product with its own limitations: only hryvnia, only Ukrainian language, relatively modest 50 providers, and just five payment method categories. Against the backdrop of international giants with multi-currency accounts, crypto, and 6–8 thousand game libraries, FIRST looks more modest. But if we consider that the comparison is within Ukrainian jurisdiction and accounting for the real advantages of KRAIL licensing, FIRST deserves a place in the middle segment of ratings.

Review prepared by the GamblingShot team. Data on bonuses, limits and conditions are current at the time of publication and may change — before registering, we recommend checking the official first.ua website. Play responsibly: gambling games are available only to persons aged 21 and older.