On Thursday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation released primary findings from a significant nationwide survey assessing the impact of gambling on society. Conducted by the Centre for Responsible Gaming and supported by the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators, the study involved 3,164 adults, including 415 young people, 409 internally displaced persons (IDPs), and 404 military personnel.
The research revealed a notable disconnect between public perception of gambling as a major social issue and personal engagement in gambling activities. Approximately 84% of respondents identified themselves as non-gamblers. Notably, one in three participants reported knowing no one who gambles, and only 5% admitted to gambling in the past 12 months, with just 2% having done so in the last month.
Despite this low level of participation, 75% of respondents considered gambling a serious challenge in Ukraine. The primary reason cited for gambling was financial, with 70% seeking to win money. Emotional motivations, such as excitement, drove 41% of participants, while 17% cited reasons like fun, distraction, advertising, or peer influence.
Among those who had gambled, most described their experiences as brief, with 83% reporting they had stopped gambling. The reasons for discontinuing included loss of interest (65%), financial restraints (23%), and concerns about addiction (10%).
The survey also highlighted the infrequency of negative consequences tied to gambling, as 83% of respondents denied any adverse effects, and 93% indicated they had not lent money to others for gambling in the past year.
Awareness of responsible gambling measures was significantly higher among recent gamblers, with 71% aware of personal play statistics and 67% familiar with responsible gaming concepts. Additionally, 60% understood options for setting time and financial limits, while 51% knew about the national registry for individuals barred from gambling access.
A strong majority supported more robust government actions to mitigate gambling risks, with 74% favoring stricter protections against gambling addiction and 67% advocating for stricter regulations within the sector. Regarding gambling advertisement regulations, about 50% of respondents wanted tighter restrictions, although only 4% said advertising influenced their gambling behavior.
Additionally, the regulator has recently united with the social media platform Kick to expedite the removal of content promoting unlicensed gambling, along with an online complaint tool to address illegal advertisements.
Enhanced controls over online casino compliance were deemed crucial by 29% of respondents, while 27% highlighted the need for efforts to combat illegal gambling. Emphasis was also placed on enforcing age restrictions (19%) and increasing public education campaigns about gambling risks (15%).
The survey challenges assumptions regarding gambling habits among IDPs, as their participation rates align with national averages. However, young people and military personnel emerged as higher-risk groups, guiding targeted prevention and awareness efforts.
Some preventive measures have already started, such as PlayCity’s introduction of an automated system blocking Ukrainian military personnel from accessing gambling sites. According to ministry officials, gambling operators receive a simple yes/no indication for access permission without revealing any personal or military information. Legal restrictions that took effect in 2024 bar military personnel from entering casinos under martial law.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Digital Transformation emphasizes that these preliminary findings provide a strong foundation for refining regulations, enhancing monitoring systems, and improving responsible gambling initiatives. Planned upgrades to the State Online Monitoring System are anticipated to bolster real-time tracking of in-game behavior, allowing for timely interventions with players exhibiting risky habits. Officials assert that these findings are part of a multi-phase research project, with subsequent stages focusing more intently on player behavior, risk assessment, and the effectiveness of harm-reduction strategies.
