A recent government-backed survey has unveiled that a significant majority of online casino players in Ukraine prefer licensed operators. Conducted by the SOCIOINFORM Sociological Centre for the Ministry of Digital Transformation from May 19 to June 26, 2026, the survey involved 2,676 online casino users using Computer-Assisted Web Interview techniques.
This research, aided by the Centre for Responsible Gaming and the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators, builds on an earlier population-wide phase released by PlayCity, the state regulator for gambling in Ukraine.
Notably, the survey highlighted a high level of channelisation within the market, with 86% of respondents indicating a preference for licensed online casinos. Furthermore, 78% reported they had no inclination to switch to unlicensed, illegal gambling sites. However, informal gambling still exists, with 20% of players knowing friends who participate in unlicensed activities. Key reasons for using illegal platforms include quicker registration without identity checks, anonymity, and the absence of restrictions or limits.
The demographics of the online casino audience reveal that participants generally represent middle-income, educated Ukrainians. A substantial 42% have completed higher education, and 38% possess secondary specialised education. Income distribution shows 31% of players earning between 11,000 and 30,000 hryvnias monthly, while 25% earn between 31,000 and 50,000 hryvnias. Most participants have significant gambling experience, often starting their gambling activity prior to the liberalisation of Ukraine's market.
The sample was predominantly male, comprising 73%, with 20% of men having over ten years of gambling experience compared to 5% of women; women accounted for 27% of the respondents. Many players engage in gambling primarily out of curiosity and excitement (40%), while 21% do so as a means of distraction from daily life.
When asked about their gambling habits, 59% described their play as controlled and recreational, yet 35% acknowledged their gambling could sometimes become uncontrollable, with 6% indicating this occurs frequently. Close to 25% admitted to occasionally chasing losses and a similar percent confessed to spending beyond their intended limits. Moreover, about 9% recognized that their gambling has led to serious financial, familial, or personal issues.
This contrasts with findings from PlayCity's earlier survey, where 70% identified monetary gain as their primary motivator for gambling. This earlier study surveyed 3,164 adults, including demographic groups such as young people, internally displaced persons, and military personnel.
The current findings have implications for government policies, particularly influencing the Ministry’s Strategy to Combat Gambling Addiction through 2035, which focuses on prevention and support services. Despite the progress, the survey indicated gaps in awareness of responsible gambling tools. While 64% of participants knew about the existence of such tools, fewer were conversant with specific options: two-thirds were aware of self-control features and 40% knew about time and spending limits.
Additionally, only 13% understood that they could access their gaming statistics, and a mere 10% were aware of the national Register of Persons with Restricted Access to Gambling. This awareness is markedly lower than findings from PlayCity's earlier survey, which reported that 60% understood time and financial limit settings.
Trust in regulatory bodies was mixed among the respondents, as 53% felt the sector was adequately regulated. Trust in the Ministry of Digital Transformation and PlayCity was at 44%. Only 22% of individuals were well-versed in their functions, while 30% had a basic understanding.
PlayCity, having recently completed its first year as Ukraine's gambling regulator, has issued 250 licenses to operators, lotteries, and suppliers. The regulator has also initiated a crackdown on illegal gambling, establishing communication channels with the social platform Kick to expedite efforts against unlicensed gambling promotion, as operators continue to use social media to connect with Ukrainian audiences.
