The UK's gambling participation rate has fallen to its lowest level since tracking started in 2023, but online participation continues to grow, according to the latest survey by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
The Year 2, Wave 4 Gambling Survey for Great Britain, published on May 23, surveyed 5,191 adults between September 2024 and January 2025. It revealed that just 46% of UK adults had gambled in the previous four weeks, down from 49% in the prior wave, marking a new low in overall participation.
However, the decrease in total gambling conceals a notable trend: Online casino gambling is on the rise. Lottery participation may have dropped from 37% to 34%, but gambling online (excluding lotteries) edged up from 16% to 17%. In-person gambling held steady at 18%. When excluding lottery activity, the gambling rate remained consistent at 28%, largely supported by the increasing popularity of digital platforms.
The survey also highlighted persistent differences between genders. Men remained more likely to gamble across all formats, with 23% reporting online gambling compared to 11% of women. The gap was widest in betting, where 17% of men - 14% of them online - engaged regularly, while only 4% of women did so.
Age also proved to be another key factor. Online gambling was most common among young men aged 18 to 24, with participation reaching 33%. In contrast, online gambling among women was more prevalent in the 35 to 54 age group.
The research delved into what motivates people to gamble. A significant 85% of participants pointed to the possibility of winning big. Yet, for many, especially younger adults, the appeal goes beyond money. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 87% cited fun as their main reason for gambling, compared to 71% who mentioned financial gain. Other top motivators in this age group included excitement (75%) and social interaction (58%).
Coinciding with the survey release, the UKGC announced an expansion of its Consumer Voice research initiative. Four new research partners - Yonder Consulting, the Behavioural Insights Team, Humankind Research, and Savanta - will work with the Commission through 2027, with an option to extend their support until 2029.
Laura Carter, Head of Research at the Gambling Commission, noted:
"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."
Through the Consumer Voice program, over 10,000 gambling individuals contributed to research in 2024 alone. The program has addressed significant topics, including financial risk checks and the broader impacts of gambling amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Source:
https://affpapa.com/uk-gambling-hits-new-low-while-online-gaming-still-rises/
Image: Ralf Liebhold/Shutterstock
