The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has released findings from the first phase of a study examining the impact of gambling on society, as reported by the PlayCity regulator. The research was conducted by the Responsible Gaming Center with support from the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Business Operators (AUOIB).
In this initial phase, a nationwide survey was conducted involving 3,164 respondents aged 18 and older, including 415 youth, 409 internally displaced persons (IDPs), and 404 military personnel, with a margin of error of up to 2%. Here are the key findings:
Prevalence:
84% do not consider themselves gamblers.
83% of those who played have stopped.
5% have gambled in the last year (2% in the last month).
Motivation:
70% are motivated by the desire to win.
41% are driven by excitement and emotions.
4% acknowledged that advertising influenced their decision to play.
Reasons for Stopping:
65% lost interest.
23% cited lack of funds.
10% expressed concerns about gambling addiction.
Regulation:
74% support stronger measures against gambling addiction (67% favor strict government regulation).
50% prioritize limiting advertising as a state policy.
At-Risk Groups:
Risks are more pronounced among youth and military personnel, while the assumption of increased involvement among IDPs was not confirmed.
According to the researchers' conclusions, these findings will form the basis of government policy, with a renewed focus on responsible gaming and digital monitoring. Following the expansion of its functionality, the State Online Monitoring System (DOMS) will be able to track in-game processes.
This is the first phase of a large-scale study initiated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, which plans to publish results from subsequent phases in the future.