Gambling activity in the UK has dropped to its lowest level since 2023, even as online participation continues to rise. The latest Gambling Survey for Great Britain, released by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) on May 23, shows shifting trends across age groups, platforms, and motivations.
Good to know
- Overall gambling participation in the UK fell to 46%.
- Online gambling, excluding lottery, rose to 17%.
- Men continue to gamble more frequently than women, especially online.
The latest report, based on responses from 5,191 adults between September 2024 and January 2025, reveals that 46% of UK adults gambled in the previous four weeks. That is a drop from 49% in the previous survey wave. This includes participation in activities like the National Lottery, which saw a decline from 37% to 34%.
While fewer people are gambling overall, online activity keeps growing. Participation in online gambling excluding lottery increased slightly, moving from 16% to 17%. In-person gambling remained flat at 18%. Excluding lottery activity, total gambling participation stayed relatively stable at 28%, up from 27% in 2023.
Gender and Age Differences Remain Clear
The gender divide continues, especially online. Twenty-three percent of men reported gambling online compared to 11% of women. The biggest difference was in betting: 17% of men placed bets, with 14% of them doing so online, while only 4% of women bet at all.
Younger adults, particularly men aged 18 to 24, showed the highest rate of online gambling, with 33% participating. Among women, online gambling was most common in the 35 to 54 age range.
Why People Gamble
Motivations were also explored. Most respondents said they gambled for the chance to win large sums (85%) or simply for enjoyment (73%). Among 18- to 24-year-olds, enjoyment ranked even higher, with 87% citing fun as their main reason—more than the 71% who pointed to winning money. A strong social aspect also appeared in this age group: 75% found gambling exciting, and 58% said they did it with friends or family.
New Research Framework in Place
To better understand gambling behavior, the UKGC has launched an expanded research program under its Consumer Voice initiative. The Commission signed two-year agreements with four research firms: Yonder Consulting, the Behavioural Insights Team, Humankind Research, and Savanta. These contracts may extend until 2029.
Laura Carter, Head of Research at the Gambling Commission, said: “This new framework gives us greater agility and reach than ever before. With these four partners, we’re better equipped to commission high-quality research quickly and use a range of approaches to respond to emerging trends or risks as they develop.”
The Consumer Voice program already engaged over 10,000 people in 2024, studying topics like affordability checks and gambling behavior during the cost-of-living crisis.
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