In Ukraine, the gambling regulatory body PlayCity is initiating a tender to develop software aimed at preventing military personnel from engaging in gambling activities. This effort aligns with government policy to restrict gambling among military members due to concerns over potential gambling addiction that could impair troop readiness and expose them to risks such as blackmail.
The new system will automatically verify players' identification against the Register of Persons Restrained from Access to Gambling. If the system identifies a user as military personnel, it will block their access to all licensed gaming operators and sites.
The Ministry of Defense plans to implement this software as soon as it is completed, with a deadline for deployment set for December 24, 2026. The initiative will complement existing responsible gaming measures that either prohibit gambling or regulate access to gambling activities as outlined in the national register.
Nonetheless, the Ukrainian government continues to confront the challenge of illegal gambling operations, including those run offshore, which poses another enforcement hurdle.
