Ukraine National Survey Reveals Significant Public Concern on Gambling Amidst Low Personal Engagement

Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation has released initial findings from a comprehensive nationwide survey, shedding light on the social perceptions and impact of gambling across the country. The research, which aims to inform future regulatory frameworks and enhance player protection within Ukraine's state-controlled gambling sector, highlights a distinct divide between widespread public concern and relatively low personal participation.

Conducted by the Centre for Responsible Gaming with backing from the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators, the study gathered insights from 3,164 adults. This diverse sample included specific demographic groups, such as 415 young individuals, 409 internally displaced persons (IDPs), and 404 military personnel.

Despite a notable 75% of respondents viewing gambling as a serious national challenge, only a small fraction reported recent engagement. The survey revealed that 84% of those polled do not consider themselves gamblers, and one in three individuals stated they did not know anyone who gambles. Furthermore, merely 5% had gambled in the preceding 12 months, with only 2% having participated in the last month.

For those who do gamble, financial gain emerged as the primary incentive, cited by 70% of participants. Emotional factors and the thrill of excitement motivated 41%, while a smaller percentage (17%) attributed their gambling to reasons such as entertainment, stress relief, advertising influence, or peer pressure.

Encouragingly, the majority of individuals who had engaged in gambling reported that their involvement was brief, with 83% stating they had ceased gambling. Reasons for stopping included a loss of interest (65%), financial limitations (23%), and concerns about developing an addiction (10%). The survey also indicated infrequent negative consequences, with 83% denying any adverse effects and 93% not having lent money for gambling in the past year.

Awareness of responsible gambling mechanisms was notably higher among recent players. Approximately 71% understood how to access personal play statistics, and 67% were familiar with the broader concept of responsible gaming. Additionally, 60% knew about options to set time and financial limits, and 51% were aware of the national register for individuals with restricted gambling access.

Public support for robust governmental measures to mitigate gambling risks was strong, with 74% advocating for tougher protections against gambling addiction and 67% supporting strict sector regulation. Key priorities for regulation identified by respondents included tighter restrictions on gambling advertising (50%), enhanced controls over online casino compliance (29%), and efforts to combat illegal gambling (27%).

Regarding specific risk groups, the study contradicted assumptions that internally displaced persons have increased gambling participation, finding their rates to be consistent with the national average. However, young people and military personnel were identified as higher-risk demographics, prompting the development of targeted prevention initiatives. In a related move, PlayCity recently implemented an automated system to block Ukrainian military personnel from accessing gambling sites, aligning with legal restrictions introduced in 2024 that bar military personnel from casinos under martial law.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation asserts that these preliminary findings provide a solid foundation for refining regulations, expanding monitoring systems, and improving responsible gaming interventions. Future phases of this multi-stage research project are expected to delve deeper into player behavior, risk assessment, and the efficacy of harm-reduction tools, with planned enhancements to the State Online Monitoring System aimed at real-time activity tracking and early intervention.