The Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation has announced the launch of a national study on the impact of gambling on society. Initial results are expected in May, with the full report due in August 2026.
According to Olga Isayeva, Director of the Centre for Responsible Gaming, the study was initiated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the regulator PlayCity and is supported by the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators (AUOGB).
The research will examine public attitudes towards gambling, estimate the number of Ukrainians who gamble and determine the share of individuals at risk of developing gambling addiction.
Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, Nataliia Denykeieva, said: “The study will help assess real challenges and form a policy where the focus is on safety and protection of people.”
Particular attention will be given to vulnerable groups, including military personnel, internally displaced persons and young people.
The study will combine quantitative and qualitative methods to assess addiction risks and better understand its underlying causes and consequences.
The Centre for Responsible Gaming plans to conduct a nationwide survey, analyse online casino player behaviour and run focus groups with players and their families. Medical and social care specialists will also take part.
Experts will also assess the impact of gambling advertising on people who do not participate in gambling but are regularly exposed to it in the information environment.
The findings will form the basis for updates to state responsible gaming regulations.
A recent study commissioned by AUOGB and conducted by the international research agency KANTAR, using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), found that Ukrainian citizens exhibit low levels of gambling addiction.
Furthermore, a similar study found that gambling habits among Ukrainian military personnel are similar to those of the general population.
At the beginning of March, Ukraine issued its first lottery licences in more than 12 years
