Ukraine Formalizes First Cross-Sector Gambling Addiction Strategy Through 2035, Citing War’s Role in Heightened Harm

The Ukrainian cabinet of ministers issued Order No. 855-r on 26 August 2026, approving the country’s first long-term strategy to combat gambling addiction. The policy coordinates roughly 40 public agencies across health, education, defence, security and regulatory functions, with the goal of reducing social and economic harms by 2035. It explicitly frames addiction as both a public health issue and a national security concern, departing from earlier fragmented efforts.

A three-year operational plan for 2027-2029 sets out specific steps, responsible entities and deadlines. These include a nationwide awareness campaign, integration of gambling-risk education into curricula, routine health-service screening for early detection, expanded psychological treatment and rehabilitation, and targeted prevention programs for military personnel and veterans. Annual progress reports will be consolidated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation beginning in 2028.

Strategic Goals and Illegal-Market Focus

The strategy lists five core objectives: promoting healthy lifestyles with timely treatment and social support; fostering responsible play; suppressing the illegal market; and building a data-driven monitoring and evaluation system. As of 1 January, Ukraine had 34 licensed operators offering casinos, gaming halls, online casinos, poker and sports betting. Yet PlayCity detected 2,844 unlicensed websites between June and December 2025—roughly 113 per licensed operator—plus 76 unlicensed land-based venues. Independent studies cited in the document estimate 39%-53% of all gambling activity still occurs in the illegal sector. Systematic website and advertising blocks form a central enforcement tool.

War Context and Vulnerable Populations

The strategy directly links prolonged conflict to increased vulnerability to harmful gambling as a coping behaviour, with particular risks for armed forces, veterans, young people and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Regulators have already launched an automated blocking mechanism to prevent military personnel from accessing online platforms. Clinical data remain comparatively low, with 308 patients formally diagnosed under ICD-10 code F63.0 and fewer than 100 receiving annual treatment through the national medical guarantees programme. A supporting study found 75% of respondents view gambling as a serious national challenge, while 86% of 2,676 surveyed individuals prefer licensed operators and 78% have no intention of switching to unlicensed sites.

The most common reasons cited for using illegal platforms are quick registration without identity checks (33%), anonymity (17%) and absence of limits (16%). As reported by iGaming Business, the evidence-led plan marks a unified governmental response that treats addiction as both health priority and security imperative.

Implementation Horizon to 2035

Operators and investors should track how the mandated inter-agency coordination translates into enforceable limits on the illegal market and measurable support for at-risk groups. Success will depend on execution of the 2027-2029 operational plan and the quality of data systems feeding future adjustments. The strategy’s emphasis on war-related vulnerabilities suggests regulators will maintain tight controls on military access while pressing licensed providers to demonstrate proactive responsible-gaming measures. How effectively the legal sector captures the 86% preference for regulated platforms will shape market structure through the remainder of the decade.

Reporting: iGaming Business (iGB)

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