Ukraine Approves National Gambling Addiction Strategy

Ukraine has adopted its first nationwide strategy focused on addressing gambling addiction, representing a significant change in the way authorities approach gambling-related harm.

Approved on August 28, 2026, the strategy will remain in place until 2035. Its central objective is to address gambling addiction as a wider social issue rather than treating it solely as an individual problem.

Officials said the strategy builds on previous reforms that introduced responsible gambling requirements, tighter restrictions on advertising and stronger supervision of licensed operators.

The new approach expands beyond market regulation by bringing healthcare, education, social services, law enforcement and defence institutions into a coordinated response.

Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Natalia Denikeieva explained that gambling addiction had traditionally been viewed as an individual's problem, despite its wider consequences, including family breakdown, financial difficulties, employment losses and mental health issues. She also pointed to the additional national security risks associated with gambling harm during wartime.

Denikeieva said the government is now addressing the issue through a broader combination of market regulation, prevention, assistance for affected people and cooperation between different institutions.

Coordinated Measures to Address Gambling Harm

The strategy introduces a broad set of measures aimed at reducing the impact of gambling addiction.

Schools will implement educational lessons and awareness campaigns focused on the risks associated with gambling. Screening and early-detection tools will also be introduced to help identify gambling addiction at an earlier stage.

Healthcare and rehabilitation support will be expanded, including tailored programmes for military personnel and veterans.

Authorities will simultaneously increase efforts to restrict illegal gambling websites and advertising, while also targeting criminal activity associated with the sector.

The government said around 40 institutions will participate in implementing the strategy. These include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine, among others.

The strategy therefore establishes a coordinated framework covering prevention, early detection, treatment, enforcement and cooperation across multiple areas of government through 2035.