Ukraine’s parliament voted on Wednesday in favor of limiting the rights of gambling abusers, putting them on a level with alcoholics and drug addicts, UNIAN news agency reported.

A gambling abuser is considered a person spending most of his income or selling out his property for gambling needs putting himself and his relatives into a difficult financial situation.

Out of 413 lawmakers in the Supreme Rada, 340 voted in support of introducing amendments to the Civil Code, which earlier stipulated restrictions of rights to alcoholics and drug addicts.

In line with the new amendments, compulsive gamblers will be restricted in their rights to control their property and special custodians will monitor how they spend their income. If a gambler "sobers up," a court may rule to restore his civil rights.

Ukraine banned gambling and casinos in 2009. Last year, lawmaker Serhiy Osyka proposed the parliament legalize gambling, saying that some 20 percent of Ukrainians are hooked on gambling and spend over $2 billion annually at illegal casinos.