In Ukraine, 8.5% of the population admitted to playing online casinos or betting on sports, according to a sociological survey commissioned by the Razumkov Center. These data highlight an alarming trend: 27% of Ukrainians personally know people suffering from gambling addiction or families where gambling addicts live.
The survey showed that out of 2,027 respondents, 85% said they had nothing to do with gambling. However, the results also show that the number of people who know addicts has increased to 24%, of which 10% know online casino players and 14% know sports bettors.
Expert Serhiy Romanyuk, an economist and psychologist, noted that respondents who gambled might not be completely open because of the stigma associated with this problem. He also noted that the real number of people who may be addicted may be much higher, because many players do not discuss their hobbies with those around them.
When asked about acquaintances who faced the problem of gaming addiction, 70% of respondents answered that they did not have such experience. However, 27% reported that they personally know people or families with gambling problems. Romaniuk emphasizes that this may indicate serious financial difficulties for these people.
"Statistics show that one gambler brings financial problems to 5-12 people not related to gambling. Before starting to take out loans or hand over property to a pawnshop, a player often turns to close friends for financial help," explains Romaniuk.
He also notes that the growth of gambling addiction leads to social problems: the number of divorces increases and families are destroyed. Players who suffer from game injuries often lose the meaning of life and avoid social contact, turning into "driven animals".
In the US, people with gambling problems often have a variety of mental disorders, according to a study. Constant stress negatively affects all body systems, increasing the risk of developing diseases.
The survey was conducted from June 20 to 28, 2024, and its theoretical error does not exceed 2.3%. These statistics emphasize the importance of solving the problem of gambling in Ukraine, because the problem of gambling addiction is becoming more and more urgent.
