ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Balancing Profitability and Growth in the Gambling Market of Ukraine
More details
Hide details
1
Organizational Management Department,, Associate Professor at the Organizational Management Department, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv
Submission date: 2025-10-24
Final revision date: 2025-11-18
Acceptance date: 2025-11-24
Online publication date: 2026-05-06
Publication date: 2026-05-06
Corresponding author
Lilia Bublyk
Organizational Management Department,, Associate Professor at the Organizational Management Department, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv
Economic and Regional Studies 2026;19(1):134-148
KEYWORDS
JEL CLASSIFICATION CODES
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Subject and purpose of work: The subject of this study is the relationship between profitability and revenue growth in the gambling industry, viewed through the theoretical framework of Williamson’s compromise model.
The purpose of the work is to identify and quantify the trade-offs between profit maximization and growth objectives among gambling firms/ Materials and methods: The study relies on a comparative analysis of ten gambling firms in Ukraine and abroad (2020–2024), using indicators of profit, growth, ROA, and NPM. Data from public reports were analyzed through Williamson’s model to classify firms by strategic orientation. Results: The results show a negative relationship between profitability and revenue growth. Ukrainian gambling firms balance short-term profit and long-term expansion, confirming Williamson’s compromise model within competitive market conditions. Conclusions: The study concludes that gambling firms strategically balance profitability and growth rather than pursuing profit maximization alone. The findings validate Williamson’s compromise model and highlight the need for adaptive management decisions in Ukraine’s evolving gambling market.
REFERENCES (38)
2.
Abbott, M., & Volberg, R. (2020). Gambling and public health: International perspectives. International Gambling Studies, 20(3), 381-400.
https://doi.org/10.1080/144597....
4.
Bag, S., & Pretorius, J., H., C. (2023). Managerial discretion and firm performance: Evidence from high-risk industries. International Journal of Production Research, 61(12), 3875-3892.
https://doi.org/10.1080/002075....
7.
Browne, M., & Rockloff, M. (2018). The dangers of over-emphasizing gambling revenues. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7(4), 875-879.
https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7....
8.
Cassidy, R. (2020). The financialization of gambling. Economy and Society, 49(3), 368-392.
https://doi. org/10.1080/03085147.2020.1726315.
9.
Chiarini, A., & Bag, S. (2024). Corporate growth versus profitability trade-offs: A managerial perspective. Journal of Business Research, 174, 114102.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbus....
10.
Chiarini, A., & Bag, S. (2024). Strategic trade-offs between profitability and growth in emerging markets. Journal of Business Research, 169, 114273.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbus....
11.
Chiu, C. (2020). Managerial models of firm growth revisited: Testing Williamson’s compromise. Management Decision, 58(7), 1284-1298.
https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-06-....
14.
Fama, E. F., & Jensen, M. C. (1983). Separation of ownership and control. Journal of Law and Economics, 26(2), 301-325.
https://doi.org/10.1086/467037.
15.
Feng, C., Lin, Z., & Chen, H. (2021). Profitability versus growth orientation in volatile industries. Long Range Planning, 54(5), 102045.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.....
16.
García, M., & Singh, R. (2022). Corporate strategies under uncertainty: Lessons from gambling firms. Strategic Management Journal, 43(11), 2148-2167.
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.34....
18.
Gainsbury, S. M., & Parke, J. (2020). The shifting landscape of gambling research. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 31, 12-17.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobe....
19.
Gainsbury, S., M., Russell, A. M., & Blaszczynski, A. (2020). Online gambling and risk perception. Journal of Gambling Issues, 45, 108-127.
https://doi.org/10.4309/jgi.20....
23.
Li, E., & Zhao, Y. (2021). Digital platforms and competitive dynamics in gambling. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 169, 120825.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tech....
24.
Livingstone, C., & Rintoul, A. (2020). Gambling policy and the public interest. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 18(3), 563-577.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469....
25.
McCarthy, I., P., Puffer, S., & Zhang, Y. (2021). Balancing growth and profitability: Evidence from emerging economies. Journal of World Business, 56(6), 101282.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.....
26.
Mullins, J., W. (1996). Early growth decisions of entrepreneurs: The influence of competency and prior performance under changing market conditions. Journal of Business Venturing, 11(2), 89-105.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-9....
28.
Penrose, E., T. (1959). The theory of the growth of the firm. Oxford University Press.
https://doi. org/10.1093/0198289774.001.0001.
30.
Porter, M., E. (1980). Competitive strategy: Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. Free Press.
31.
Reith, G., & Dobbie, F. (2019). Gambling careers: Paths, transitions, and turning points. Addiction Research & Theory, 27(6), 477-488.
https://doi.org/10.1080/160663....
32.
Sulkunen, P., & Rantala, V. (2019). Sociology of gambling. Acta Sociologica, 62(2), 127-139.
https://doi. org/10.1177/0001699318820929.
35.
Wardle, H., Reith, G., Best, D., McDaid, D., & Platt, S. (2021). Measuring gambling-related harms. The Lancet Public Health, 6(2), e107-e115.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-....
36.
Williamson, O., E. (1963). Managerial discretion and business behavior. American Economic Review, 53(5), 1032-1057.
37.
Xu, T., & Zhang, L. (2022). Revenue growth, profit trade-offs, and managerial incentives. Journal of Corporate Finance, 75, 102204.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcor....