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Ukraine Tackles Gambling Addiction with a Three-Year Plan

By jili tutorial · August 31, 2026

Ukraine Tackles Gambling Addiction with a Three-Year Plan

Ukraine has been grappling with serious gambling problems, which have worsened since Russia’s invasion and the ongoing military conflict. In an effort to reduce the threat of gambling harm, the Ukrainian government has approved a new three-year action plan.

New Government Initiative to Curb Problem Gambling

Ukraine’s government has officially adopted a three-year strategy to minimize gambling addiction, responding to growing public concern. The plan, known as Order 855, was approved earlier this week and requires multiple public agencies to collaborate on addressing the issue. Running from 2027 to 2029, the initiative will involve 40 public agencies working together to reduce gambling addiction rates. The government aims to use this program as a stepping stone toward its broader goal of lowering problem gambling prevalence by 2035.

The approval follows a recent study showing that three out of four Ukrainians are worried about the gambling industry’s impact on public health. This new program represents a more centralized approach, with participation from organizations spanning health, education, social services, security, and defense sectors. The gambling regulator PlayCity and the Ministry of Digital Transformation will also play key roles.

Key Objectives: Harm Reduction and Illegal Gambling Crackdown

The government’s anti-gambling harm program focuses on several core objectives: promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging responsible gambling, providing social support for those affected, and establishing a modern monitoring system. Under the three-year plan, the authorities will also intensify efforts to crack down on illegal gambling.

To achieve these goals, the government will launch a nationwide awareness campaign about problem gambling and educate students on the risks of excessive betting. Officials also plan to introduce regular screenings by health professionals to better identify individuals experiencing gambling problems, and to offer treatment and social services to those in need.

Given that problem gambling is especially common among military personnel in Ukraine, the program includes special rehabilitation services tailored to the needs of service members and veterans. Harm among young people and other vulnerable groups will also be addressed.

Tackling the black market is considered crucial to achieving safer gambling targets, as unlicensed platforms are a major source of harm. PlayCity previously warned that thousands of unlicensed operators are taking money from Ukrainian players, and that up to half of all bets are placed with illegal companies. While a later study by the Ministry of Digital Transformation suggested that PlayCity’s estimates might overstate the number of players using illegal platforms, it acknowledged that many who do gamble on the black market do so to avoid identity checks or safer gambling limits.