PlayCity has unveiled the first results of its large-scale research into gambling behavior

PlayCity has recently released the first findings of its large-scale study on gambling behavior in Ukraine. The survey included 3,164 respondents aged 18 and above, with particular attention paid to so-called "at-risk groups," including young people, military personnel, and socially vulnerable populations. The results proved both interesting and encouraging, especially when compared to the narratives consistently promoted by critics of Ukraine's gambling reform. Public participation in gambling turned out to be significantly lower than often claimed, while awareness of responsible gambling tools was considerably higher.

Earlier this year, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation initiated a nationwide study to assess the social impact of gambling. The first results are now available. According to the survey, 84% of Ukrainians do not consider themselves gamblers. Over the past year, only 5% of respondents reported participating in any form of real-money gambling, while just 2% had done so within the past month. These findings are consistent with research conducted by UGC in 2021, when 7.2% of respondents reported having personal experience with gambling. At that time, however, awareness of responsible gambling principles and self-exclusion mechanisms stood at only 32.9%.

The PlayCity study demonstrates that, over the past four years, the situation has improved despite the ongoing war and a number of unresolved regulatory challenges. Today, 67% of respondents are familiar with the principles of responsible gambling, while 60% are aware of tools that allow players to manage their gambling activity, such as setting financial and time limits. Meanwhile, 51% of respondents know about the national self-exclusion register, which restricts access to gambling for individuals who choose to limit their participation. It is also worth noting that this year's study is based on a representative sample that is three times larger than the one used in our 2022 research, resulting in a substantially lower margin of statistical error.

Another noteworthy finding is that 83% of respondents who reported having gambling experience also stated that they had already stopped gambling. The primary reasons cited were a loss of interest (65%) and a lack of available time or disposable income (23%). Another 10% said they stopped because they were concerned about developing a gambling addiction. These figures clearly demonstrate that most players approach gambling rationally, viewing it primarily as a form of entertainment and a way to unwind rather than as a source of income or an integral part of their lives.

At the same time, 75% of Ukrainians consider gambling to be a serious challenge for the country, while 67% support stronger government oversight of the sector. Furthermore, 74% expect the regulator to strengthen safeguards protecting players from the risk of developing gambling addiction.

Overall, these concerns are not entirely unfounded. The study identified a trend toward elevated risks of gambling-related harm among young people and military personnel. At the same time, when viewed from a purely statistical perspective, the data suggest that public perceptions of the gambling sector remain heavily influenced by a predominantly negative media narrative, causing the industry to be viewed as significantly more threatening than the available evidence indicates.

The importance of conducting studies of this kind cannot be overstated. On the one hand, they provide policymakers and regulators with invaluable statistical evidence to guide improvements in regulatory policy. On the other, they significantly enhance public understanding of the industry's actual state by ensuring that public debate is informed by empirical evidence rather than populist rhetoric. In the long term, this evidence-based approach is essential for building trust among society, the government, and the regulated gambling industry.