The Ukrainian government has taken a significant step in addressing gambling addiction by approving its first comprehensive long-term strategy, which aims to tackle the issue across multiple sectors. This initiative, formalized on August 26, 2026, under Order No. 855-r by the Cabinet of Ministers, mandates the cooperation of approximately 40 public agencies to work together towards reducing the social and economic harms associated with gambling by the year 2035.
In this strategy, the government has recognized gambling addiction not only as a public health issue but also a matter of national security that requires a coordinated response. Feedback from a recent study indicated that 75% of respondents view gambling as a serious problem in Ukraine.
This new approach represents a significant shift from previously disjointed efforts. It integrates various sectors, including health, social services, education, defense, and security, alongside regulatory bodies like PlayCity and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, ensuring a unified framework for implementation and oversight.
The strategy outlines five strategic goals, emphasizing the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the expansion of timely treatment and support for those affected by gambling disorders. It aims to encourage responsible gambling while also combating illegal gambling activities through a variety of measures. Additionally, a robust, data-driven system for monitoring and evaluation will be established.
The operational plan accompanying this strategy details concrete actions and responsible parties to execute over the period from 2027 to 2029. Notable measures include a nationwide public awareness campaign, integrating gambling risk education into curricula, and routine screenings by healthcare services for early identification of gambling problems. It will also increase access to psychological treatment, rehabilitation, and social services, particularly tailored for military personnel and veterans.
Strategies for blocking illegal gambling websites and advertising are also outlined, along with a system for compiling annual progress reports to be overseen by the Ministry of Digital Transformation starting in 2028.
The context of the ongoing war in Ukraine has heightened the seriousness of gambling addiction, framing it as both a health and national security concern. The prolonged conflict has amplified the risks of harmful coping mechanisms like gambling, sparking specific initiatives aimed at supporting armed forces, veterans, youth, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Recently, the regulator has implemented an automated system to restrict online gambling access for military personnel.
Currently, Ukraine's regulated gambling market includes 34 licensed operators offering various services, yet illegal gambling remains rampant. From June to December 2025, PlayCity identified 2,844 unlicensed gambling websites, which amounts to roughly 113 illicit sites for every licensed operator. They also reported 76 unlicensed physical venues to the State Bureau for Economic Security.
Studies referenced in the strategy suggest that 39% to 53% of gambling activity occurs within the illegal sector. Conversely, a recent survey by the Ministry of Transformation revealed that 86% of 2,676 respondents prefer licensed online casinos, with 78% expressing no desire to patronize unlicensed operators. Still, about one in five players admitted to knowing friends who gamble on unlicensed sites, with motivations for using those platforms including fast registration without identity verification, a degree of anonymity, and minimal restrictions.
Despite the high level of gambling activity, clinical diagnoses of pathological gambling are low, with only 308 individuals formally diagnosed under ICD-10 F63.0 and fewer than 100 receiving annual treatment as part of the national medical guarantees program.
