(AsiaGameHub) –   Ukraine’s Ministries of Digital Transformation and Defence have unveiled plans to implement an automated system designed to block military personnel from using online gambling platforms.

The initiative, disclosed on the ministry’s official Facebook page this week, seeks to curb gambling addiction among service members while martial law remains in effect.

The mechanism will operate by verifying login attempts on gambling sites against two critical databases: a register of prohibited individuals and the armed forces personnel list.

When the system identifies a user with restricted status, it will automatically deny access to online gambling services.

According to ministry officials, gambling operators will only receive a simple “yes/no” response regarding access permission, without receiving any personal or military-specific data.

A preventative measure against gambling addiction

This measure is part of a wider, coordinated campaign to address gambling addiction.

“We are continuing our systematic battle against gambling addiction. Our objective is to safeguard military personnel and their families from the dangers and fallout of gambling addiction,” the announcement stated on Tuesday.

The statement also highlighted joint efforts with the Ministry of Defence to restrict Ukraine’s defenders from engaging in gambling while martial law is in place.

This new system builds on legal limitations implemented earlier in 2024, which prohibited service members from accessing online casinos during martial law and introduced stricter controls on gambling advertisements.

PlayCity’s enforcement action

PlayCity, the platform appointed as the state authority overseeing gambling and lotteries after policy responsibilities shifted to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, will oversee the implementation and enforcement of the login restriction mechanism.

Ukraine is already cracking down on illegal gambling operations. In 2024, following the ministry’s request, Apple and Google eliminated dozens of unlicensed casino applications from their platforms. Moreover, Ukrainian state authorities have shut down thousands of illegal gambling websites.

The program is component of an extensive digital reform designed to bring a large underground gambling market under control. It aims to minimize damage to at-risk groups, including military members.

Officials have also signaled upcoming plans to strengthen advertising limitations, prevent exploitation via multiple accounts, and enhance technical tools to combat illegal operators.

PlayCity reported significant enforcement activity during the past year and will incorporate this log-in screen restriction into broader market supervision responsibilities.