Ukrainians' spending on online casinos and betting rose in 2024

Ukrainians' spending on online casinos and betting reached 160 billion hryvnia in 2024

In 2024, Ukrainians spent a colossal sum – nearly 160 billion hryvnia – on topping up accounts at online casinos and bookmakers. These figures have sparked active discussion in society, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing war and economic difficulties.

Spending dynamics

Average monthly spending on gambling from January to November amounted to 12.7 billion hryvnia. However, December saw a sharp spike – Ukrainians spent 19.4 billion hryvnia in that month alone, setting an absolute record for the year.

Budget contribution

The gambling industry remitted 16.99 billion hryvnia in taxes to the state budget in 2024. This amount is 63% higher than the 2023 figure, highlighting the growth in industry turnover. Nevertheless, the tax burden on the gambling business is gradually decreasing: if it stood at 13.3% in April 2024, it fell to 7.9% by December.

Expert opinion

People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak expressed concern over the scale of gambling spending in wartime conditions. According to him, although part of these funds is returned to users as winnings, spending nearly 20 billion hryvnia on such entertainment appears alarming.