Міністерство digital transfer received final data from the second stage of a comprehensive study of the impact of gambling on society, conducted by the SOCIOINFORM Sociological Center (with the support of the Center for Responsible Gaming and the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Business Operators).
Unlike the first wave of the general population survey, this time the study was conducted from May 19 to June 26, 2026 directly among 2,676 active users of legal and illegal online casinos.
The main conclusion of the survey is that the absolute majority of Ukrainian players consciously choose the legal market (86%) and perceive gambling as a form of leisure, not a way of earning money.
Socio-demographic portrait and motivation
The survey allowed us to form a generalized social profile of the Ukrainian player on the Internet:
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👤 Audience profile: 73% of players are men, 27% are women. Most have a high level of education (42% have a full higher education, 38% have a secondary specialized education). The middle class predominates in terms of income: 31% earn from 11 to 30 thousand UAH, 25% from 31 to 50 thousand UAH.
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🎯 Key motivations: The main reason for starting a game is the desire to try something new and excitement (40%). This is followed by the desire to be distracted (21%), promotions (20%), and only then the hope of earning money (17%).
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🎰 Experience and frequency: 36% play for 1 to 3 years, 30% for 4 to 6 years, 26% for 7 or more years. 46% play several times a week, 26% play daily.
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🛡️ Trust and PlayCity: 44% of players trust the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the state agency PlayCity in matters of market regulation. The main advantages of legal casinos are state protection (51%) and guarantees of winnings (44%).
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🧠 Prevention of gambling addiction: 64% of respondents know about responsible gambling tools (self-restriction and limits). To strengthen protection, the Ministry of Digital Affairs is developing a Strategy to Combat Gambling Addiction by 2035.
HiTech Expert Take
Sociological data from the second stage of the study indicate the formation of a mature legal online casino market in Ukraine. The choice of 86% of players in favor of licensed operators proves the effectiveness of the chosen state regulation model and the activities of the PlayCity agency. At the same time, the high frequency of participation in games requires the Ministry of Digital Affairs to accelerate the implementation of the Strategy for Combating Gambling by 2035, automate the registers of self-restricted persons and strictly monitor compliance with the rules of responsible gambling.
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