New Rules Block Service Members from Casinos and Online Betting
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has passed a resolution limiting gambling access for military personnel, as announced by Gennadiy Novikov, head of the state agency PlayCity. Under the updated regulations, a fully automated verification system will check individuals when they log into casinos—whether physically or online. This move aims to shield soldiers from gambling risks during wartime.
When a player attempts to authorize, the operator’s system will first query the restricted persons registry. If no restriction is found there, it will then check the military personnel registry currently being developed by the Ministry of Defense. If a match confirms a restriction, access to gambling will be blocked. Importantly, the operator will not know which registry triggered the denial.
The technical rollout of this mechanism will be handled by PlayCity in partnership with the Ministry of Defense, with data exchange routed through the Trembita system. Novikov stated:
“PlayCity will implement the technical side together with the Ministry of Defense, and data will flow via the Trembita system. At the same time, the state continues its crackdown on illegal casinos—involving the National Security and Defense Council, the National Bank, the National Commission for State Regulation of Communications, the State Service for Special Communications, and other law enforcement bodies.”
National Strategy to Combat Gambling Addiction
In addition, back in May, Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation unveiled a national strategy to fight gambling addiction, officially classifying ludomania as a threat to national security. Under the new resolution, the Cabinet also launched the State Online Monitoring System for the gambling industry. Its first phase will track bets, payouts, refunds, and player balance top-ups. These measures aim not only to restrict military access to gambling but also to tighten oversight of the entire gambling sector in Ukraine.
These reforms are part of a broader state strategy targeting gambling addiction and illegal gambling operations. The introduction of an automated access-checking system for service members is designed to protect them from potential gambling-related harms, especially amid ongoing military conflict. With ludomania now recognized as a national security risk, these steps could significantly impact both society and the country’s overall security landscape.
As the government intensifies its efforts to regulate the gambling sector, it's worth noting the recent imposition of fines totaling over 8.6 million Hryvnias on certain operators by PlayCity. This action underscores the ongoing commitment to combat illegal gambling activities and protect vulnerable groups, including military personnel. For more details on these significant penalties, you can read about the fines imposed on Championcasino and SlotCity.