20 Jul 2026
Gambling Commission Publishes Third Annual GSGB Report Detailing Participation and Behaviours Across Great Britain
The Gambling Commission has released the third annual report from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, which compiles official statistics on participation, behaviours, attitudes, and consequences for the period covering 2023 through 2025. This latest edition continues the series of yearly updates and presents a consistent picture of adult gambling activity in the region, with headline figures remaining largely unchanged from previous waves. Participation stood at 47 percent of adults aged 18 and over who reported gambling in the past four weeks during 2025, while the figure drops to 27 percent when lottery-only players are excluded from the calculation. These numbers reflect a stable pattern across the survey years, and researchers note that the inclusion or exclusion of lottery draws continues to influence the overall rate in predictable ways. Data collection methods remained consistent, allowing direct comparisons between the annual releases. People cite several motivations for their involvement, and the survey captures these reasons through direct questioning. The chance of winning big money ranks highest at 84 percent, followed by fun at 69 percent, making money at 57 percent, and excitement at 53 percent. Multiple responses were permitted, so individuals often list more than one factor when describing their engagement. These percentages have held steady across the three reporting periods, which suggests that core drivers have not shifted significantly despite changes in product availability or regulatory adjustments.Problem Gambling Measures Remain Consistent
Problem gambling prevalence, measured by a PGSI score of 8 or higher, stayed at 2.4 percent in 2025, matching the level recorded in the prior annual report. This stability appears across demographic breakdowns as well, although the survey continues to track variations by age, gender, and frequency of play. Most individuals who gamble report positive or neutral feelings toward their activity, and the report presents these self-assessments alongside the prevalence data to provide context for the overall picture.
Survey Scope and Methodology Details
The GSGB draws on a large sample designed to represent the adult population across England, Scotland, and Wales, and the annual format allows tracking of trends over multiple years. Questions cover not only participation but also attitudes toward gambling and any reported consequences, whether financial, emotional, or social. Because the same core instruments are used each year, analysts can examine whether shifts in one area, such as online product use, correspond with changes in another, such as overall prevalence rates.
Release of the third report occurred in the context of ongoing regulatory monitoring, and the Commission presents the findings as a resource for policymakers, operators, and researchers who track industry developments. Figures from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain Annual Report 2025 are available for download and further analysis, with detailed tables breaking out responses by key variables.
Attitudes and Reported Consequences
Attitudes toward gambling show that the majority of participants view their own activity in neutral or favourable terms, while a smaller share reports negative feelings. The survey also records consequences experienced by respondents, including any financial strain or emotional effects, and places these alongside the prevalence measures to give a fuller account. Because most gamblers fall into the non-problem category, the positive and neutral sentiment figures align with the lower end of the PGSI distribution.
Comparisons across the three annual reports indicate that headline participation, reason rankings, and problem gambling rates have not moved substantially, which provides a baseline for future waves. The Commission continues to refine question wording and sampling approaches where needed, yet the core indicators have demonstrated consistency that supports year-on-year tracking.