The Gambling Commission has published its 2025 Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) annual report, providing the latest official statistics on gambling participation, player behaviour and gambling-related harm among adults aged 18 and over.
The report found that 47% of adults had taken part in some form of gambling during the previous four weeks. When those who only played lottery draws were excluded, overall gambling participation fell to 27%.
The most common reason for gambling was the chance to win big money, cited by 84% of respondents. This was followed by gambling being fun (69%), the opportunity to make money (57%) and the excitement it provides (53%).
Problem gambling rate falls slightly but remains stable over time
The survey also found that 2.4% of adults scored eight or more on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) in 2025, down from 2.7% in 2024. This equates to an estimated 1.3 million people experiencing problem gambling.
The Commission described problem gambling levels as stable across the three years of GSGB data, with the first survey reporting a rate of 2.5%.
Among those who had gambled in the previous 12 months, 2.7% reported experiencing at least one severe gambling-related consequence, like reducing spending on everyday essentials or relationship breakdown.
The report found that 47% of adults had taken part in some form of gambling during the previous four weeks. When those who only played lottery draws were excluded, overall gambling participation fell to 27%
The report also found that 3.4% of people who had gambled in the previous 12 months sought support for their gambling. The proportion accessing each type of service was broadly similar, ranging from 1.4% for specialist gambling support services to 1.7% for mental health services.
Commission highlights value of three years of GSGB data
The Commission's Executive Director for Research and Policy Tim Miller said: "The publication of the third annual Gambling Survey for Great Britain marks an important milestone. Three years of GSGB provides a richer, more timely picture of the trend in gambling in Great Britain than has previously been available.
"It helps us understand not only who gambles and the products they use, but also why people gamble, the range of experiences they have, and the consequences gambling can have in people's lives. This evidence is a vital part of a wider evidence base that informs policy, regulation and wider public discussion."
The Commission also published two additional reports examining gambling-related harm. One explores whether reporting one or more adverse consequences can serve as a meaningful headline measure of harm, while the other finds that some people may experience gambling-related harm even at lower levels of gambling risk.
Later in the autumn, the Gambling Commission will publish a topical report examining gambling behaviours among ethnic minority communities
