A nationwide study in Ukraine revealed a striking gap between people’s concerns about gambling and the number of people who actively participate in it. Most respondents described gambling as a significant national issue despite relatively low levels of participation.
These preliminary findings were released by Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation and regulator PlayCity as part of a wider research project examining the impact of gambling on society. The survey collected responses from 3,164 adults and included a representative mix of participants based on age, gender, region, and residential type. The sample also included specific groups such as 415 youth, 409 internally displaced persons (IDPs), and 404 military personnel, including active and demobilized military members.
Based on the findings, 84% of respondents did not identify themselves as gamblers. Only 15% said they considered themselves gamblers, while a third reported that they did not know anyone who participated in gambling activities.
The study found that only 5% of respondents had gambled during the previous 12 monthswhile only 2% did so in the last 30 days. Despite these figures, public concerns are still widespread. Three-quarters of those surveyed said they viewed gambling as a serious challenge for Ukraine.
Society Calls for Stronger Oversight
Respondents expressed broad support for tighter controls on the gambling sector. Some 74% said stronger measures were needed to protect society from gambling addiction, while 67% supported stricter regulations overall.
When asked about regulatory priorities, participants named several areas they believed authorities should focus on. Increased oversight of online gambling operations was mentioned by 29% of respondents, while 27% highlighted the need to address illegal gambling activities. Another 19% emphasized stricter enforcement of age restrictions, and 15% supported increased public education and awareness campaigns regarding gambling-related risks.
The problem of illegal gambling attracts special attention. According to the survey, 78% of respondents believe unlicensed gambling operations are directly harming the Ukrainian economy.
Advertising also emerged as a major area of interest. Nearly half of respondents identified tighter restrictions on gambling advertising as the primary regulatory goal. At the same time, very few participants viewed advertising as a major influence on their gambling decisions.
Recent regulatory efforts include cooperation between PlayCity and streaming platform Kick to remove content promoting unlicensed gambling services. Authorities have also introduced an online complaints mechanism designed to help the public report illegal gambling advertisements.
Gambling Motivation and Experience
Among those surveyed, the most common reason people felt they gambled was the opportunity to win money. About 70% chose financial gain as the main motivation. Joy and emotional engagement ranked second, with 41% identifying those factors as key drivers.
Far fewer respondents pointed to external influences such as advertising, social circles, entertainment, or distractions from personal problems. These factors generally received support from approximately 15% to 17% of participants.
Research shows that gambling participation is often temporary. Among respondents with gambling experience, 83% reported that they had stopped. The most frequently cited reason was loss of interest, mentioned by 65% of former participants. Financial limitations accounted for 23% of responses, while 10% said concerns about developing a gambling addiction contributed to their decision to quit.
Most respondents reported little direct exposure to harmful consequences related to gambling. Based on the survey, 83% said they had not experienced any negative impacts. Additionally, 93% stated they had not borrowed money from friends or acquaintances for gambling purposes during the previous year.
Awareness of Responsible Gambling Actions
The survey found higher awareness of responsible gambling tools among people who had recently participated in gambling activities.
Among those who gambled during the previous month, 71% were aware that they could request access to their personal gambling statistics. Awareness of responsible gaming principles reached 67%, while 60% knew about available tools that allow players to set spending and time limits. More than half, namely 51%, are aware of national regulations that restrict certain individuals from accessing gambling services.
The study also examined groups that are often considered vulnerable to gambling-related risks. These findings do not support the assumption that the number of internally displaced persons participating in gambling is higher than that of the general population. Their gambling activity appears consistent with national averages.
Researchers identified young people and military personnel as groups facing relatively higher levels of risk. These findings are expected to help shape future prevention strategies and awareness programs.
Several targeted actions have been taken. Ukrainian authorities have launched an automated system that blocks military personnel from accessing gambling sites while preserving user privacy. Additionally, regulations enacted in 2024 prohibit members of the armed forces from entering casinos during martial law. Recently, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a mechanism designed to further restrict gambling access for military members during the ongoing wartime period.
Officials said the current publication represents only the first phase of a larger research initiative. The next stages will examine player behavior in more detail, assess the level of risk associated with gambling, and evaluate the effectiveness of responsible gambling tools. A more comprehensive report is expected to be released in August and will be used to support future regulatory and player protection policy decisions.
