Ukraine is preparing to introduce restrictions that would prevent members of the armed forces from accessing legal online gambling platforms. Under the proposed measures, operators would be required to implement enhanced identity verification systems to automatically block active service members from accessing online casinos and sports betting platforms.
The proposal has received support from the country’s gambling regulator, PlayCity, Ukraine’s gambling regulator, and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, which cite concerns over gambling addiction among military personnel. Officials argue that gambling-related harm among soldiers could affect financial stability, mental health, military readiness, and national security. The proposal forms part of Ukraine’s broader efforts to strengthen consumer protection and regulatory oversight of the gambling sector.
Ukraine targets military gambling
Ukraine’s decision to limit military gambling is motivated by growing concerns about troop addiction. As stated by military representatives and MPs, casino games and sports bets are becoming a new pastime during the war. Gambling opportunities are available around the clock thanks to mobile apps, which frequently require only a smartphone and an internet connection to operate.
Head of the Ukrainian gambling regulator PlayCity, Gennady Novikov, has spoken openly about gambling addiction as a serious risk, especially for military personnel, where the consequences can extend into broader security concerns.
Novikov stated, “Gambling addiction is a real danger, and when it comes to military personnel, that risk can impact not only the well-being of individuals, but also security in a broader sense.”
How proposed ban will work
Ukraine’s proposed military gambling ban uses automated methods rather than personal checks. Personal data checks will be performed automatically by matching user data against databases maintained by the authorities, with no need to personally identify military personnel.
The proposal revolves around integration with the Ministry of Defence’s military personnel register. When a person attempts to register or log into a gambling site, the system will automatically check his or her information against the database, and access will be refused if there is a match.
Operators will also check users against Ukraine’s register of individuals with restricted gambling access, which includes people who have self-excluded, those restricted by court orders, and individuals flagged through family requests. PlayCity is modernising this register as part of its broader responsible gambling strategy.
Ministry of Defence’s involvement
The Ministry of Defence is important to Ukraine’s military gambling ban because it maintains the personnel record needed for verification. This database was originally intended to better military administration and record-keeping, but its integration with gambling platforms adds a new dimension beyond defense. Data sharing will take place via Trembita, Ukraine’s digital interoperability system that now connects hundreds of registers. Using existing infrastructure lowers costs and speeds up rollout.
Another important feature is that the restrictions are temporary. The Ministry of Defence has said that the blocking system will only be in place while martial law remains in effect. Officials want to strike a balance between civil liberties and national security by presenting the legislation as a wartime safeguard rather than a permanent prohibition. This temporary design makes the proposal more acceptable to those concerned about long-term restrictions.
Concerns raised by licensed operators
Gambling operators have expressed concerns about the potential gambling prohibition for Ukrainian military personnel. Operators argue that enforcing such restrictions will drive soldiers towards illegal gambling sites rather than stopping gambling altogether. According to the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators, the gambling ban restricts access to licensed gambling websites, putting consumers at risk.
Rapid crackdown takes shape
Following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s response to public concerns about online casinos, the Ukrainian anti-gambling movement gained new momentum in early 2024. In March 2024, he directed the Security Service, digital authorities, and national security agencies to investigate and propose solutions. A month later, Zelenskyy issued an order to the Cabinet of Ministers prohibiting the promotion of gambling through advertising, particularly those featuring military insignia or marketing targeted at soldiers. Under martial law, the military was immediately instructed to limit access to casinos and online gambling.
The legislative push accelerated through late 2024. In December, parliament passed a law that abolished the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL) and established a new regulatory body with stricter oversight. Efforts to tackle corruption within the existing system were also ongoing in December. Police arrested Ivan Rudyi, the head of KRAIL, for his involvement in allowing a Russian-owned online casino to operate in Ukraine. Investigators also informed the owners and managers of Pin-Up, a major operator, that they were suspected of laundering Russian money.
Renovations were completed by March 2025. The Ukrainian government established a new governmental entity called PlayCity to supervise gambling enterprises and replace KRAIL, which had been closed down. The case revealed that the government tightened its regulations on gambling companies and demanded greater accountability from them. The creation of the governmental agency provides the country with the opportunity to properly control legislation and prohibit illicit operators from participating in the gaming sector.
The proposed restrictions could change the way the sector operates. Licensed operators may face additional requirements for identity verification and data sharing with government entities. These reforms may increase costs for operators while also boosting consumer confidence in the regulated sector. The real impact will depend on several crucial factors, including whether enforcement technology works effectively, how rigorously authorities enforce the restrictions, what support services are available to soldiers struggling with gambling addiction, and whether the government can effectively discourage illegal alternatives.
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