Ukraine Approves Gambling Addiction Counter-Strategy Extending to 2035
TL;DR — Ukraine’s Cabinet approved the Strategy for Countering Gambling Addiction to 2035, coordinating nearly 40 agencies on awareness campaigns, expanded treatment for veterans and blocking illegal sites. Daily online casino spend hit €7.7m in 2023, with monthly totals over €231m.
SCCG Take — The multi-agency plan tightens enforcement and prevention, requiring operators to prioritize compliance with advertising rules and support programmes.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation has reported that the Cabinet of Ministers approved Ukraine’s Strategy for Countering Gambling Addiction to 2035. The document establishes state policy on preventing gambling addiction, supporting those affected and combating illegal gambling.
The strategy unifies efforts across government agencies, health and educational institutions and law enforcement. It includes nationwide awareness campaigns on gambling risks, including classes in schools on the dangers of addiction. According to Focus Gaming News, the plan also targets early detection of warning signs and contributing factors.
Core Elements of Prevention and Enforcement
The approved strategy expands access to treatment, psychological support and rehabilitation services. Special programmes will address the needs of military personnel and veterans, consistent with a recent tender for a system to prevent military access to gambling. Increased blocking of illegal gambling websites and unlawful advertising is planned, alongside stepped-up law enforcement action on gambling-related crime.
Agency Coordination and Spending Context
Close to 40 government agencies will implement the strategy. These include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Social Policy, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, Bureau of Economic Security, National Police and the national gambling regulator PlayCity.
In 2023, Ukrainians spent nearly UAH 400m (€7.7m) daily on online casinos. Monthly spending exceeded UAH 12bn (€231.4m).
The Nine-Year Horizon
The coordinated framework sets clear priorities for harm reduction and enforcement through 2035. Regulators and operators now face defined expectations around awareness, treatment access and illegal market controls that will guide compliance planning in the years ahead.
Reporting: Focus Gaming News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
A multi-agency harm framework through 2035 raises the compliance bar for operators and signals stricter enforcement on illegal sites.
We've guided partners into regulated markets worldwide, and Ukraine's nine-year roadmap tells me operators there need to embed responsible gambling deeply — not bolt it on. With 40 agencies coordinating and daily spend at €7.7m, this isn't window dressing. It's a compliance reset that will shape licensing renewals and market access through the next decade.
- Strategy runs to 2035, coordinating nearly 40 agencies on awareness, treatment and blocking illegal sites
- Daily online casino spend reached €7.7m in 2023; monthly totals exceeded €231m
- Special programs target military personnel and veterans; education campaigns enter schools
SCCG angle: SCCG helps operators build sustainable responsible gambling programs that meet evolving regulatory expectations. Through our network of compliance specialists and treatment providers across 545 partners, we connect licensees with the vendor ecosystem and strategic counsel needed to align with Ukraine's long-term harm-reduction framework and protect market access.
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