TLDR Ukraine approved its first nationwide gambling addiction strategy on August 28, 2026 The plan runs through 2035 and treats gambling harm as a social issue, not just a personal one About 40 government institutions will take part, including health, education, defense, and police agencies Schools will add lessons on gambling risks, and new screening tools will help spot addiction early Treatment programs will target military personnel and veterans, alongside crackdowns on illegal gambling sites
Ukraine has approved its first national plan to address gambling addiction. The government adopted the plan on August 28, 2026.
The strategy will run until 2035. It marks a change in how the country views gambling harm.
Officials say gambling addiction was once seen as a personal issue. Now they are treating it as a wider social problem.
The plan builds on earlier reforms. Those reforms included responsible gambling rules and stricter ad limits.
This new plan goes further. It brings together health care, education, social services, law enforcement, and defense agencies.
A Coordinated Effort Across Sectors
About 40 government institutions will take part in the plan. These include the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Veterans Affairs are also involved. So are the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine.
Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Natalia Denikeieva spoke about the plan. She said gambling addiction has effects that go beyond the individual.
She pointed to destroyed families, financial trouble, and job loss. She also mentioned mental health problems and risks to national security during wartime.
Denikeieva said the state will now handle the issue in a broader way. This includes market rules, prevention, and help for people affected.
New Tools for Prevention and Treatment
Schools will add lessons and awareness campaigns