Government Unveils Interagency Framework Involving 40 State Bodies to Address Problem Gambling Across Healthcare, Education, and Security Sectors
Recognizing gambling addiction as a critical societal issue with implications extending far beyond individual struggles, the Ukrainian government has formally adopted its first-ever national Strategy to Combat Gaming Addiction, accompanied by an implementation plan running through 2035. The framework unites approximately 40 state institutions into a synchronized system designed to tackle problem gambling through comprehensive prevention, treatment, and law enforcement.
A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Public Health and Security
While prior gambling sector reforms established responsible gaming principles, self-restriction tools, and stricter regulatory compliance for legal operators, the new Strategy introduces a broader, multi-agency approach. By bridging healthcare, education, social protection, and national security, the state aims to mitigate the widespread fallout of addiction—including financial hardship, fractured families, mental health crises, and wartime vulnerabilities.
Natalia Denikeeva, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, emphasized the necessity of a unified state response:
“For a long time, gaming addiction was perceived as a personal problem for a person. But its consequences are much broader – destroyed families, financial difficulties, loss of work, mental health problems, and in wartime – even risks to national security. That is why the state is for the first time approaching the fight against gambling addiction comprehensively – through not only market regulation, but also prevention, assistance to people, and interagency interaction.”
Key Pillars and Core Initiatives
The newly enacted Strategy outlines structured measures across multiple public sectors:
- Education and Awareness: Launching large-scale public information campaigns alongside educational programs and school lessons focused on the risks of gambling.
- Early Detection and Prevention: Implementing routine addiction risk screenings and early identification tools within public health pathways.
- Treatment and Rehabilitation: Expanding clinical access to professional medical treatment, psychological counseling, and structured rehabilitation programs, including specialized support frameworks tailored for military personnel and veterans.
- Enforcement and Regulation: Enforcing systematic blockades against illegal gambling websites and illicit advertising while cracking down on unlawful operations within the sector.
Unified Interagency Collaboration
To ensure execution, approximately 40 state entities will operate under a single coordinated plan. Participating organizations include the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Veterans Affairs, Ministry of Social Policy, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, and PlayCity, ensuring that the fight against gaming addiction becomes a shared national responsibility spanning prevention, social support, and market oversight.
