Survey shows vast majority of players choose licensed online casinos in Ukraine
The government-commissioned survey found a high channelisation rate and little interest in gambling on the unlicensed market.
UK.- A survey commissioned by Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation has found that most online casino players in Ukraine now favour licensed operators. Some 86 per cent of respondents said they preferred licensed online casinos, while 78 per cent said they had no intention of switching to unlicensed operators.
The research was carried out by the SOCIOINFORM Sociological Centre between May 19 and June 26 of this year using an online computer-assisted web interview method (CAWI). The survey gathered responses from 2,676 online casino players and built upon the earlier national gambling impact survey published by PlayCity, Ukraine’s gambling regulator.
The findings underscore the shift to regulated gambling in Ukraine following legalisation in 2020 and the transition of regulatory oversight from Krail to PlayCity. That’s not to say that unregulated gambling doesn’t still have a presence. One in five participants reported knowing friends who use illegal sites. The main reasons cited for choosing unlicensed platforms were “quick registration without identity checks” (33 per cent), “anonymity” (17 per cent), and “lack of restrictions or limits” (16 per cent).
The survey revealed that online casino players are largely middle-income, educated Ukrainians. Some 42 per cent had completed higher education, while 38 per cent held secondary specialised qualifications. Income levels were clustered in the mid-range, with 31 per cent earning UAH 11,000–30,000 hryvnias (€210-510) monthly and 25 per cent 31,000–50,000.
The sample was predominantly male (73 per cent), with men more likely to report long-term gambling experience: 20 per cent had played for over a decade compared to 5 per cent of women. Female respondents made up 27 per cent of the group.
Players cited curiosity and excitement (40 per cent) as their main reasons for gambling. Other motivations included distraction from daily life (21 per cent), promotional offers (20 per cent), the desire to win money (17 per cent), and social encouragement (14 per cent).
Most respondents (59 per cent) described their gambling as recreational and controlled. However, 35 per cent admitted it can become uncontrollable at times, with 6 per cent saying this happens frequently. Nearly a quarter acknowledged chasing losses or overspending, and 9 per cent reported serious financial or personal difficulties linked to gambling.
The study highlighted gaps in awareness of safeguards. While 64 per cent knew responsible-gaming tools exist, far fewer recognised specific measures. About two-thirds were aware of self-control features and 40 per cent knew about time and spending limits, but just 10 per cent knew of the national Register of Persons with Restricted Access to Gambling.
Respondents expressed mixed confidence in oversight. Slightly more than half (53 per cent) believed gambling is adequately regulated. Trust in the Ministry of Digital Transformation and PlayCity stood at 44 per cent, with 22 per cent saying they were well-informed about their roles and 30 per cent somewhat familiar.
Published in June, PlayCity’s first annual report since taking over from the previous authority shows that it issued 250 licences in 2025–26. It has also been working to tighten enforcement action against illegal gambling, including working with streaming platform Kick.
