Survey shows Ukraine’s channelisation at 86%, with vast majority having no interest in black market

A government-backed survey has revealed that the vast majority of online casino players in Ukraine now prefer licensed operators.

The second phase of the study was commissioned by Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation and conducted by the SOCIOINFORM Sociological Centre between 19 May and 26 June 2026.

The survey, published on Wednesday, surveyed 2,676 online casino users through an online CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) methodology. 

The study was implemented with the support of the Centre for Responsible Gaming and the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators, building on a population-wide initial phase published earlier by PlayCity, Ukraine’s state regulator for the gambling market.

High levels of channelisation

The survey found that 86% of respondents prefer licensed online casinos, with 78% stating they have no intention of switching to unlicensed, illegal operators.

Despite this strong inclination towards legality, informal gambling persists: one in five players reported knowing friends who gamble on unlicensed sites. 

The most common reasons for engaging with illegal platforms included quick registration without identity checks (33%), anonymity (17%) and lack of restrictions or limits (16%)

Who were the participants? 

The online casino audience was generally representative of middle-income, educated Ukrainians rather than confined to any particular social stratum. The report also showed 42% of participants had reached higher education with 38% having secondary specialised education.

Income levels were predominantly middle range, with 31% reporting monthly earnings between 11,000 and 30,000 hryvnias and 25% between 31,000 and 50,000 hryvnias. 

The participant group was characterised by considerable gambling experience, with most having started before Ukraine’s market liberalisation. 

Notably, male players dominated the sample at 73%, with 20% of men reporting more than a decade of gambling experience, against 5% of women. Female respondents made up 27% of the sample.

Around 21% gamble as a distraction from daily life 

Online casino players mainly engage out of curiosity and excitement (40%). Other motivating factors included a distraction from daily life (21%) and promotions (20%). 

Around 17% put it down to a desire to win money with 14% noting social encouragement as the motivator. 

Most respondents (59%) described their gambling as controlled and recreational, but 35% admitted their gambling can sometimes become uncontrollable, with 6% stating this happens frequently. 

Additionally, nearly 25% reported occasionally chasing losses, and a similar proportion confessed to spending more than intended. Around 9% acknowledged gambling had led to serious financial, familial, or other personal difficulties.

These results were a marked contrast to PlayCity’s first gambling nationwide study that found that 70% cited monetary gain as the primary motive for gambling. That study surveyed 3,164 adults. The sample included key demographic groups such as 415 young people, 409 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 404 military personnel.  

Mixed awareness of responsible-gaming tools

These findings have informed governmental policy initiatives, including the Ministry’s Strategy to Combat Gambling Addiction through 2035. The strategy emphasises prevention, responsible gaming, early risk detection, behavioural monitoring and support services for affected individuals.

However, the study revealed significant gaps in awareness of responsible-gaming measures among players. While 64% were aware such tools exist, a notably lower percentage knew of specific options.

About two-thirds knew of self-control features and 40% knew about setting time and spending limits. 

However, only 13% knew they could access their gaming statistics and around 11% were aware of the minimum legal gambling age.

A mere 10% knew about the national Register of Persons with Restricted Access to Gambling.

Less than 10% were aware of bans on certain bonus schemes or institutions providing addiction support.

Once again, these statistics differed from PlayCity’s nationwide survey where it found 60% understood options to set time and financial limits, with 51% aware of the national Register of Persons with Restricted Access to Gambling. 

A trusting game

Notably, in this week’s report, respondents showed mixed trust in public institutions regulating gambling. 

Slightly more than half (53%) believed the sector is adequately regulated. Trust in the Ministry of Digital Transformation and PlayCity stood at 44%, with 22% well-informed about their roles and 30% somewhat familiar.

PlayCity has just completed its inaugural year as Ukraine’s gambling regulator, where it issued 250 licences to operators, lottery and suppliers. 

The regulator has also announced a crackdown on illegal gambling having recently established direct communication channels with the social platform Kick. This will be aimed at accelerating the removal of content promoting unlicensed gambling as operators and streamers increasingly leverage social media to reach Ukrainian audiences.