UK Gambling Commission Unveils Third GSGB Report with Stable Participation and Problem Gambling Figures

The UK Gambling Commission released its third annual report from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain on 16 July 2026, and this document compiles official statistics covering participation, behaviours, attitudes, and consequences across the population from 2023 through 2025. Observers note that the survey stands out as one of the largest dedicated gambling studies worldwide because it draws responses from approximately 20,000 adults each year, which supports detailed trend tracking over time. Data from the report shows headline participation holding steady at 47 percent of adults aged 18 and over who gambled in the four weeks before the 2025 survey, while the figure drops to 27 percent when lottery-only participants are excluded. These numbers remained consistent with previous waves, which allows analysts to examine shifts without major fluctuations in overall engagement.

Survey Methodology and Scope

The Gambling Survey for Great Britain collects responses through a structured approach that reaches a broad cross-section of the population, and researchers designed it to capture both online and land-based activities. Because the sample size reaches around 20,000 annually, the results provide a strong foundation for identifying patterns across multiple years rather than relying on smaller or less frequent data sets.

Questions cover a range of topics including frequency of play, preferred game types, spending levels, and perceptions of risk, while the Problem Gambling Severity Index helps measure potential harm. The Commission has used this consistent framework across the three annual reports, which means direct comparisons between 2023, 2024, and 2025 become feasible.

Participation and Problem Gambling Statistics

Headline participation stayed level at 47 percent in 2025, and the 27 percent figure that excludes lottery-only players also showed no significant movement from prior years. The problem gambling rate, defined as a PGSI score of 8 or higher, remained at 2.4 percent across the latest wave.

These stable outcomes appear alongside detailed breakdowns by age, gender, and activity type, which researchers compiled to give a clearer picture of who participates and how often. The report further separates online gambling from in-person play so that trends in each channel stand out more clearly.

Attitudes and Consequences Data

Beyond raw participation numbers, the survey gathers information on how people view gambling and what negative outcomes some experience. Respondents answered questions about perceived fairness, advertising exposure, and personal impacts such as financial strain or relationship issues.

The consistent methodology across three years means that any changes in attitudes or reported consequences can be tracked with greater confidence, and the large annual sample helps reduce margin of error on subgroup analyses. Figures reveal that most participants continue to report low levels of harm while a smaller segment accounts for the 2.4 percent problem gambling rate.

Trend Analysis Capabilities

Because the survey now spans three full years, analysts gain the ability to identify whether participation or harm rates are shifting in specific demographics or game categories. The Commission designed the ongoing project to support this kind of longitudinal work, and the 2026 release marks the third point in the data series.

External researchers and policymakers can access the underlying datasets through official channels, which encourages further independent examination of the findings. The report itself presents the core statistics in accessible tables and charts so that readers can quickly locate key metrics without needing advanced statistical training.

Conclusion

The third annual Gambling Survey for Great Britain report, published by the UK Gambling Commission on 16 July 2026, confirms stable headline participation at 47 percent and a steady problem gambling rate of 2.4 percent through 2025. With its large annual sample and consistent approach, the survey continues to supply the data needed for reliable trend monitoring across Great Britain. Those interested can review the full Gambling Survey for Great Britain Annual Report 2025 directly from the Commission’s site for complete tables and methodology notes.