Ukraine unveils gambling addiction strategy as war recognised as exacerbating harm 

The Ukrainian government has approved its first long-term, cross-sector strategy to combat gaming addiction, accompanied by a three-year operational plan spanning 2027-2029. 

Its cabinet of ministers formalised the initiative on 26 August 2026 by issuing Order No. 855‑r, which mandated some 40 public agencies to coordinate efforts aimed at reducing the social and economic harms associated with gambling by 2035.

In the strategy, Kyiv acknowledged gambling addiction as a significant public health and national security challenge necessitating a unified government response. A recent study found that 75% of respondents regarded gambling as a serious challenge facing Ukraine. 

The new strategy marked a departure from previously fragmented measures, bringing together health, social services, education, defence and security sectors alongside the gambling regulator PlayCity and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. 

The collaboration is structured within a joint framework for implementation and oversight.

Key objectives and measures

The strategy articulated five strategic goals, including promoting of healthy lifestyles including an expansion of timely treatment and social support for individuals who suffer from gambling disorders.

The strategy will seek to foster responsible play, while also suppressing the illegal market via various measures. It will also aim to develop a data-driven system for monitoring and evaulation.

The accompanying operational plan delineated concrete steps, responsible entities and deadlines to be met during 2027-2029. This included a nationwide public awareness campaign, curriculum integration on gambling risks and a routine screening by health services to enable early detection of problem gambling.

It also included expanded access to psychological treatment, rehabilitation and social services. It would also serve as dedicated prevention and rehabilitation initiatives tailored for military personnel and veterans.

Systematic blocking of illegal gambling websites and advertising would take place alongside a consolidation of annual progress reports managed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation starting in 2028.

War context exacerbated problem gambling

The strategy framed gambling addiction as both a health issue and a national security risk. It noted that the prolonged war context in Ukraine has exacerbated vulnerability to harmful coping behaviours such as gambling. 

Particular attention was given to armed forces, veterans, young people and socioeconomically vulnerable groups. The country’s regulator has in recent months launched an automated mechanism that will block military personnel from accessing online gambling. 

The document also highlighted the adverse impact of the illegal market.

Evidence-led strategy

As of 1 January, Ukraine’s regulated gambling market comprised 34 licensed operators offering casinos, gaming halls, online casinos, poker and bookmakers. However, illegal gambling persists at a considerable scale. 

Between June and December 2025, PlayCity detected 2,844 unlicensed gambling websites, equivalent to roughly 113 illicit sites per licensed operator. They also identified 76 unlicensed land-based venues, which were reported to the State Bureau for Economic Security. 

Independent studies cited within the Strategy estimate that 39%-53% of gambling activity continues to take place in the informal, illegal sector.

A recent study commissioned by the Ukraine’s Ministry of Transformation did find however that 86% of 2,676 respondents preferred licensed online casinos. Around 78% stated they have no intention of switching to unlicensed, illegal operators. 

One in five players reported knowing friends who gamble on unlicensed sites. The most common reasons for engaging with illegal platforms included quick registration without identity checks (33%), anonymity (17%) and lack of restrictions or limits (16%)

Clinical diagnoses of pathological gambling remained low relative set against the scale of activity. Data showed 308 patients formally diagnosed under ICD-10 F63.0 and fewer than 100 receiving treatment annually via the national medical guarantees programme.