Ukraine’s government has approved a coordinated three-year initiative to address rising gambling addiction, requiring 40 public agencies to collaborate on prevention, monitoring, and enforcement measures starting in 2027
Ukraine is set to launch a nationwide effort to address gambling addiction, following government approval of a three-year plan that will bring together dozens of public agencies. The initiative responds to mounting concerns about the impact of gambling on public health, especially as the country continues to face the pressures of ongoing conflict and economic instability.
Order 855 Sets National Strategy
The Ukrainian government has formally adopted Order 855, a policy directive that establishes a centralized approach to minimizing gambling-related harm. The plan, scheduled to run from 2027 through 2029, mandates the involvement of 40 public agencies across health, education, social services, security, and defense sectors. The government’s stated objective is to reduce the national rate of problem gambling by 2035, with the new program representing a significant expansion of previous efforts.
Order 855 was approved in response to recent survey data indicating that three out of four Ukrainians are concerned about the gambling industry’s effect on public health. The plan also reflects a broader trend among European regulators, as seen when Danish authorities moved to block dozens of unlicensed gambling sites, including Polymarket, to protect consumers from unauthorized operators. For context, a similar enforcement action was reported in Denmark, where authorities blocked 98 gambling sites to address illegal gambling activity (see details here).
Key Objectives and Enforcement Measures
The three-year program will focus on several core objectives: promoting healthy behaviors, encouraging responsible gambling, providing social support for those affected, and developing a modern monitoring system. A major component of the plan is a coordinated crackdown on illegal gambling, with PlayCity—the national gambling regulator—and the Ministry of Transformation playing leading roles in enforcement and oversight.
Officials have outlined plans for a nationwide awareness campaign, educational initiatives targeting students, and regular health screenings to identify individuals at risk. The program also includes enhanced treatment and social services for those experiencing gambling harm, with particular attention to military personnel, veterans, young people, and other vulnerable groups.
Addressing the Black Market and Vulnerable Groups
Combatting unlicensed gambling platforms is a central pillar of the new strategy. PlayCity has previously warned that thousands of illegal operators are active in Ukraine, with estimates suggesting that up to half of all bets may be placed with unlicensed companies. While a subsequent review by the Ministry of Transformation suggested these figures may be overstated, officials agree that black-market gambling remains a significant challenge, often driven by players seeking to avoid identity checks or responsible gambling limits.
Specialized rehabilitation services are planned for service members and veterans, who are considered at higher risk for gambling problems. The program also aims to strengthen protections for young people and other groups identified as particularly vulnerable to gambling harm.
Responsible gambling initiatives like Ukraine’s new plan typically combine regulatory enforcement, public education, and support services to reduce the risks associated with gambling. Central to these efforts is the concept of self-exclusion, which allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling platforms. Effective self-exclusion systems require cooperation between operators, regulators, and social services, and are most successful when paired with robust monitoring and accessible treatment options for those affected by gambling addiction.
