REGULATORY READINESS, RISK EXPOSURE AND EU CONVERGENCE PATHWAYS FOR AI-DRIVEN GAMING SYSTEMS: EVIDENCE FROM UKRAINE

This article examines the regulatory readiness and systemic risk exposure associated with artificial intelligence–driven gaming systems in Ukraine, with particular attention to pathways of regulatory convergence with European Union risk-based governance standards. The study evaluates the coherence and functional coverage of existing national regulatory domains, including digital services, data protection, intellectual property, gambling regulation, and the absence of AI-specific legislation. A composite Regulatory Readiness Index (RRI) is constructed to quantify governance capacity and to benchmark Ukraine against selected EU jurisdictions.The results indicate that Ukraine occupies an adaptive–transitional governance stage characterised by partial horizontal regulation, limited algorithmic accountability, and elevated regulatory risk exposure. Comparative benchmarking reveals a substantial readiness gap relative to EU frontrunners, primarily driven by the lack of vertical AI governance mechanisms. Scenario-based sensitivity analysis demonstrates a non-linear regulatory leverage effect: incremental improvements in AI-specific regulation generate disproportionate gains in aggregate regulatory readiness and significantly reduce systemic risk.Beyond legal architecture, the analysis highlights the critical role of institutional enforcement capacity, supervisory coordination, and algorithmic auditing infrastructure in translating formal regulation into effective governance outcomes. The study further demonstrates that regulatory convergence is not solely a legislative process but requires complementary investments in regulatory sandboxes, monitoring capabilities, and cross-border cooperation mechanisms. By integrating quantitative benchmarking with scenario-based modelling, the proposed framework provides a forward-looking tool for evaluating regulatory trajectories and policy effectiveness in high-risk digital sectors.Overall, the findings identify a strategic policy window for accelerated regulatory upgrading in Ukraine, enabling alignment with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act while preserving innovation dynamics and investment attractiveness.