UK Gambling Commission Issues Third GSGB Report Revealing Steady Participation and Prevalence Patterns

The UK Gambling Commission released the third annual report from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain on 16 July 2026, and this document compiles data collected between 2023 and 2025 to present a clear picture of adult gambling activity across England, Scotland, and Wales. Participation stood at 47 percent of adults who reported gambling in the past four weeks, while the figure dropped to 27 percent once lottery-only players were excluded from the calculation. Those numbers remained consistent with earlier waves of the survey, which allows regulators and industry observers to track trends without major fluctuations.

Data collection relied on a large-scale methodology that captured responses from thousands of participants, and the resulting statistics cover participation rates alongside behaviours, attitudes, and reported consequences. The report draws from the Problem Gambling Severity Index to measure prevalence, with a PGSI score of 8 or higher recorded at 2.4 percent for 2025. Most individuals who gambled described their experiences as positive or neutral, which provides context for the broader statistical overview.

Participation Rates Across Great Britain

Survey responses showed that nearly half of adults engaged in some form of gambling within a four-week window, yet removing lottery draws from the total produced a noticeably lower rate that highlights the influence of national lottery products on overall figures. Regional breakdowns indicated similar patterns in England, Scotland, and Wales, and age-group analysis revealed higher involvement among certain demographics while younger adults reported lower rates in several categories. The stability of these numbers across three years of data collection suggests that core habits have not shifted dramatically despite changes in available products and regulatory adjustments.

Further details in the report break down participation by activity type, which includes online betting, casino games, sports wagering, and scratch cards in addition to lotteries. Observers note that excluding lottery play narrows the focus to other forms of gambling and produces the 27 percent figure that regulators often use when assessing non-lottery markets. This distinction helps separate routine lottery purchases from more active gambling behaviours tracked in the survey.

Problem Gambling Prevalence and Measurement

The Problem Gambling Severity Index formed the basis for prevalence estimates, and a score of 8 or above placed 2.4 percent of respondents in the problem gambling category for the most recent data year. Earlier waves of the same survey produced comparable results, which indicates that prevalence has held steady rather than rising or falling sharply. The report also presents data on moderate-risk and low-risk categories to give a fuller view of the spectrum of gambling-related difficulties reported by participants.

Researchers collected self-reported information on negative consequences such as financial strain or emotional impacts, yet the majority of gamblers placed their overall feelings in the positive or neutral range. This combination of prevalence metrics and attitude data allows the Commission to monitor both the scale of problem gambling and the wider context in which most participation occurs. The figures come directly from the official statistics published alongside the main report.

Attitudes, Behaviours, and Reported Consequences

Participants answered questions about their motivations and emotional responses, and the results showed that enjoyment or social aspects featured prominently among those who gambled regularly. Negative consequences appeared in a smaller subset of responses, which aligns with the 2.4 percent prevalence rate for higher PGSI scores. The survey instrument captured details on frequency of play, spending patterns, and attempts to limit or stop gambling, all of which contribute to a comprehensive dataset rather than isolated snapshots.

Behaviours tracked in the report include online versus land-based activity, and the data reveals that both channels remain active without one completely dominating the other in the overall sample. Attitudes toward gambling regulation and industry practices also received attention, with responses indicating varied levels of awareness about available support services. Those findings sit alongside the core participation and prevalence numbers to create a multi-dimensional view of gambling in Great Britain.

Official Statistics and Data Sources

The Gambling Survey for Great Britain annual report 2025 supplies the raw figures and methodology notes that underpin the headline statistics released on 16 July 2026. Commission staff compiled responses from a representative sample and applied weighting procedures to ensure national coverage, which supports comparisons across the three years of data. Public access to the full dataset allows independent analysis while the Commission retains responsibility for the primary interpretation presented in the report.

Additional tables in the publication cover demographic variables and cross-tabulations that reveal how participation and prevalence intersect with age, gender, income, and location. These breakdowns add granularity without altering the overall stability observed in the headline numbers. The report therefore serves as a reference point for ongoing monitoring rather than a one-time announcement.

Conclusion

The third annual GSGB report delivers consistent data on participation at 47 percent, a 27 percent rate when lotteries are removed, and problem gambling prevalence at 2.4 percent for 2025, while noting that most gamblers describe their experiences positively or neutrally. Publication on 16 July 2026 marks another step in the Commission’s regular statistical programme, and the figures provide a factual baseline for anyone tracking gambling patterns across Great Britain. The emphasis remains on transparent presentation of survey results that cover behaviours, attitudes, and consequences in a single integrated document.