UK Gambling Commission Publishes Third Annual Gambling Survey Findings

The UK Gambling Commission has released the third annual report from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, and this document delivers the most recent official statistics covering gambling participation along with behaviours, attitudes, and consequences across the country for the period spanning 2023 to 2025. The nationally representative survey draws responses from around 20,000 adults each year, which provides a consistent basis for tracking trends over time while the latest edition shows headline participation holding steady at 47 percent of adults who gambled in the past four weeks, a figure that drops to 27 percent when lottery-only players are excluded from the calculation. Data indicates problem gambling rates measured by a PGSI score of 8 or higher remain unchanged at 2.4 percent, which aligns with previous years and suggests continuity in this key metric. Researchers designed the survey to capture both frequency and type of gambling activity, while separate sections explore motivations behind participation and the range of emotional responses reported by those who take part.

Survey Methodology and Scope

The Gambling Survey for Great Britain operates as a continuous data collection effort that began several years ago, and it now stands as the primary source for official statistics on adult gambling patterns in England, Scotland, and Wales. Annual samples of approximately 20,000 respondents allow analysts to produce reliable estimates that reflect the broader population, while weighting procedures ensure demographic balance across age groups, regions, and other characteristics.

Questions cover a four-week recall period for participation, which helps reduce memory bias, and the instrument includes the Problem Gambling Severity Index to classify risk levels from low through moderate to high. Additional modules address reasons for gambling such as socialising, excitement, or financial gain, along with self-reported feelings that range from positive and neutral to negative outcomes.

Participation Trends in Detail

Overall adult participation reached 47 percent in the past four weeks according to the latest figures, yet excluding those who only played the lottery brings the rate down to 27 percent, which highlights the influence of lottery draws on headline numbers. Breakdowns by activity type show online betting, casino games, and sports wagering forming distinct segments within the remaining participants, while in-person options such as betting shops and bingo halls contribute separate shares.

Age and gender patterns appear consistent with earlier waves of the survey, and regional variations remain modest across Great Britain. Those who've studied the data note that stability in these participation rates occurs even as new products enter the market and as regulatory changes take effect over the 2023 to 2025 window.

Problem Gambling Rates and PGSI Findings

The report records a problem gambling prevalence of 2.4 percent based on PGSI scores of 8 or above, and this proportion has held steady across the three annual releases produced so far. Moderate risk categories sit at lower levels, while the majority of respondents fall into the non-problem or low-risk groups. The survey also gathers information on gambling-related harms that extend beyond the individual to affect finances, relationships, and mental health.

Cross-tabulations reveal correlations between certain activities and elevated PGSI scores, yet the overall rate shows no statistically significant shift from prior measurements. Observers note that continued monitoring through future waves will help determine whether this stability persists into 2026 and beyond.

Reasons for Gambling and Reported Feelings

Participants cited multiple motivations for taking part, with social aspects, entertainment value, and the chance to win money appearing most frequently in responses. The survey captures both positive and neutral emotional states among most gamblers, while a smaller share reports negative feelings tied to their activity. These attitude measures complement the behavioural data and provide context for understanding why people continue or stop gambling over time.

Findings show that the majority experience gambling as a recreational pursuit rather than a source of distress, which aligns with the stable problem gambling figures. Detailed tables present these responses alongside demographic variables, allowing researchers to identify subgroups that report different balances of motivations and emotions.

Implications for Ongoing Monitoring

The third annual report reinforces the value of a consistent survey instrument that tracks the same core measures year after year, and the absence of major changes in headline statistics suggests the gambling landscape in Great Britain has reached a period of relative equilibrium. Policymakers and regulators receive this information as one input among several data sources when evaluating existing rules and considering adjustments ahead of 2026.

Further analysis of the dataset will continue in coming months, and additional publications may explore specific themes such as online versus offline differences or the impact of particular product types. The Gambling Commission maintains the full dataset and methodology documents on its website for those who wish to examine the numbers directly.

Conclusion

The release of the third annual Gambling Survey for Great Britain provides an updated snapshot that confirms steady participation levels at 47 percent overall and 27 percent excluding lottery-only players, while problem gambling rates measured at 2.4 percent show no movement from earlier readings. Attitudes and motivations reported by respondents add depth to these statistics and illustrate the varied experiences within the adult population. Continued data collection through this survey will support evidence-based discussion of gambling behaviours as the calendar moves forward into July 2026 and subsequent years.