Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation has received the final data of the second stage of a comprehensive study on the impact of gambling on society, conducted by the Sociological Center SOCIOINFORM (with the support of the Responsible Gaming Center and the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Business Operators).
Unlike the first wave of the general population survey, this time the study ran from May 19 to June 26, 2026, directly among 2,676 active users of legal and illegal online casinos.
The main finding of the survey is that an overwhelming majority of Ukrainian gamblers consciously choose the legal market (86%) and view gambling as a form of entertainment, not a means of income.
The survey allowed to form a generalized social profile of Ukrainian online gamblers:
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Audience portrait: 73% of players are men, 27% women. Most have a high education level (42% hold a complete higher education, 38% have secondary specialized education). By income level, the middle class predominates: 31% earn between 11,000 and 30,000 UAH, 25% earn between 31,000 and 50,000 UAH.
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Key motivations: The main reason for starting to play is the desire to try something new and experience excitement (40%). Next come the desire to distract oneself (21%), promotional offers (20%), and only then hope for earnings (17%).
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Experience and frequency: 36% have played for 1–3 years, 30% for 4–6 years, and 26% for 7 years or more. 46% play several times a week, while 26% play daily.
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Trust and PlayCity: 44% of players trust the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the state agency PlayCity regarding market regulation. The main advantages of legal casinos cited are state protection (51%) and payout guarantees (44%).
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Problem gambling prevention: 64% of respondents are aware of responsible gambling tools (self-exclusion and limits). To strengthen protection, the Ministry of Digital Transformation is developing a Strategy to Combat Gambling Addiction through 2035.
Xpert Take
The sociological data from the second stage of the study indicate the formation of a mature legal online gambling market in Ukraine. The choice of 86% of players in favor of licensed operators demonstrates the effectiveness of the chosen state regulatory model and the activity of the PlayCity agency. At the same time, the high frequency of participation in gambling requires the Ministry of Digital Transformation to accelerate the implementation of the Gambling Addiction Strategy through 2035, automate self-exclusion registers, and enforce strict compliance with responsible gambling rules.
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Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation Publishes Results of Online Casino User Survey Read the article on the HiTech.Expert website.
