UK Gambling Commission Publishes Third Annual Report on National Gambling Survey Data

The UK Gambling Commission released its third annual report from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain in 2026, and this document compiles three full years of official statistics spanning 2023 to 2025 on adult gambling participation along with related behaviors, attitudes, and reported consequences. Data collection covered a representative sample across Great Britain, and the figures establish clear baselines while highlighting year-over-year consistency in several key metrics. Headline participation held steady at 47 percent of adults aged 18 and over who engaged in any gambling activity during the past four weeks, yet that number drops to 27 percent when lottery-only players are excluded from the calculation.

Participation Trends Across Three Years

Researchers compiled responses that show no significant shift in overall engagement rates between 2023 and 2025, which means the proportion of adults participating remained consistent even as the survey expanded its reach and refined its methodology. Lottery draws continue to account for the largest single category, and once those participants are set aside the remaining figure reflects activity in online slots, sports betting, casino games, and other forms. Observers note that this stability occurs against a backdrop of regulatory changes and economic pressures, yet the core participation rate shows little movement according to the published statistics.

Problem Gambling Rates Remain Consistent

Problem gambling rates measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index at the 8+ threshold stayed fixed at 2.4 percent across the three-year period, and this figure aligns with previous waves of the same survey instrument. Most individuals who reported any gambling activity described their feelings toward the activity as positive or neutral rather than negative, while a smaller subset indicated mixed or adverse experiences. The survey instrument captures both frequency and spend patterns, and those details feed into the overall prevalence calculations that the Commission now tracks annually.

Attitudes and Reported Consequences

Respondents supplied information on personal attitudes that reveal the majority experience gambling as a recreational pursuit without notable disruption to daily life or finances, and this pattern holds steady from one year to the next within the dataset. The survey also records self-reported consequences such as financial strain or emotional impact, yet the aggregate numbers indicate these remain limited to a minority of participants. Data from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain shows how attitudes correlate with frequency of play and chosen products, and analysts can now compare these relationships across the full three-year window.

Survey Methodology and Scope

The Gambling Survey for Great Britain uses a mixed-mode approach that combines online panels with random probability sampling to reach adults throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, and the annual report synthesizes findings from successive waves conducted between 2023 and 2025. This structure allows direct comparison of participation, problem gambling prevalence, and attitude measures while maintaining consistent question wording where possible. Officials at the Commission emphasize that the survey provides a reliable evidence base for monitoring trends, and the latest release adds another year of comparable data to the existing series.

Key Statistics at a Glance

• 47 percent of adults participated in gambling in the past four weeks, including lottery play
• 27 percent participated when lottery-only players are excluded
• Problem gambling rate at PGSI 8+ remained at 2.4 percent
• Most gamblers described their activity with positive or neutral sentiment

These headline numbers appear in the official release and form the foundation for further analysis by researchers and policymakers who track gambling behavior over time. The report also breaks down participation by product type, age group, and region, although the top-level figures already demonstrate continuity rather than dramatic change.

Conclusion

The third annual Gambling Survey for Great Britain report supplies a consolidated view of participation, problem gambling prevalence, and attitudes across 2023 through 2025, and it confirms stability in the primary indicators that the Commission monitors. Readers can access the full dataset and methodology documentation directly from the Gambling Commission website for additional detail on specific subgroups or product categories. This release marks another step in the ongoing collection of nationally representative statistics that inform regulatory oversight and public understanding of gambling patterns in Great Britain.