Self-exclusion from gambling is a private matter

The biggest barrier to stopping gambling is often not the procedure itself, but fear. Fear that the decision will become known at work, within the family, or among acquaintances. Fear that seeking help will turn into a label. That is why it matters that the government has addressed this issue directly and in plain language. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, which coordinates the work of the PlayCity regulator, explained how data in the Register of Persons Restricted from Participating in Gambling are protected.

The answer is straightforward: the decision to temporarily abstain from gambling remains a personal matter. The Register is not a publicly accessible database. It is impossible to search for an individual by name, phone number, or other personal details. Employers, relatives, acquaintances, and any other third parties cannot check whether a particular person is listed in the Register.

So, who has access? Only those who need it to operate the Register and ensure compliance with the law: the state, represented by the PlayCity regulator, which maintains the Register, and gambling operators. The latter cross-check a player's details against the Register when the player logs in to a gambling website or enters a gambling establishment. In other words, the data function as a barrier, not a dossier: their sole purpose is to prevent a person from accessing gambling after they have made the decision to stop.

Another important point is that the data are not stored indefinitely. They remain in the Register only for the duration of the restriction and are deleted once that period expires. If you want to verify whether your own data are included in the Register, simply send an application signed with a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) to PlayCity at address@playcity.gov.ua. You will receive confirmation of whether your own data are present. Your own data — and no one else's.

Now, to the practical steps. To restrict your own access to gambling, visit the official PlayCity website and complete the online application in the “Combating Gambling Addiction” section. You can choose the restriction period yourself, from six months to three years. If you are concerned about a loved one, their relatives or legal representatives can request a restriction for up to six months, with the option to extend it. The restriction takes effect on the first business day after the entry is added by the PlayCity agency or a gambling operator.

One rule deserves special attention, as some may consider it overly strict: an application cannot be withdrawn once it has been submitted. But that is precisely the point. Gambling addiction is driven by impulses, and a mechanism that could be switched off with a single click at three o'clock in the morning would offer little protection.

Does it work? The figures suggest that it does. In the spring, PlayCity reported that more than 16,000 people were already listed in the Register. People use this tool when they understand how it works and are confident that their decision will remain private.

That is why the regulator's explanation is more than a formality. Confidentiality is not an optional feature here; it is a prerequisite for an effective gambling harm prevention mechanism. The system exists, access is restricted to authorised parties, and it is operational. If you or someone close to you feels that gambling has begun to control their life rather than the other way around, the process is straightforward, online, and private. Taking a break at the right time can protect your finances, your family, and your life.