UK Gambling Commission Releases Third Annual GSGB Report with Three Years of Comparable Data

The UK Gambling Commission has published its third annual report from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, and this release delivers three full years of comparable official statistics on participation, behaviours, attitudes, and harms across the adult population. Data collection for the survey ran annually with approximately 20,000 respondents, which produced consistent headline figures that observers can now track over time. Participation stood at 47 percent of adults aged 18 and over who gambled in the past four weeks during 2025, while the rate dropped to 27 percent when lottery-only players were excluded from the calculation.

Stable Participation Rates Across Multiple Years

Figures reveal that overall involvement has remained steady since the survey began producing comparable data, and this stability extends through the most recent reporting period. Researchers note that the consistent methodology allows direct year-on-year comparison, which shows no significant shift in the proportion of adults taking part in any form of gambling. The exclusion of lottery-only players provides a clearer view of engagement with other products, and that adjusted rate also held steady across the three years covered by the report.

Problem Gambling Rates Hold Steady at 2.4 Percent

The survey measured problem gambling using the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and results indicated that 2.4 percent of adults recorded a PGSI score of 8 or higher in the latest data. This rate has shown no material change over the three annual waves, which gives regulators and researchers a stable baseline for tracking harm levels. The large sample size supports the reliability of these estimates, and the Commission presents the figures as official statistics that meet national standards for quality and comparability.

Motivations and Emotional Responses Among Participants

Respondents cited the chance of winning big money as their primary reason for gambling, with 84 percent selecting that option. Additional motivations included entertainment and social aspects, although the report presents these alongside the dominant financial incentive. Most participants reported positive or neutral feelings about their gambling activity, and the survey captured these attitudes through direct questioning on emotional outcomes. The data further breaks down participation by product type, age group, and frequency, which allows detailed analysis of different population segments.

Attitudes toward gambling harm appear in the findings as well, and the survey tracks both perceived and experienced negative effects. The three-year span now makes it possible to observe whether these attitudes shift in line with participation or remain constant, and the latest release shows continuity rather than movement in most measures.

Survey Methodology Supports Reliable Comparisons

The Gambling Survey for Great Britain uses a robust sampling approach that draws from the general adult population, and the annual target of around 20,000 responses enables precise national estimates. This scale exceeds many previous gambling surveys conducted in Great Britain, and the consistent questionnaire design across years supports the claim of comparability. Officials at the Commission emphasize that the statistics meet the standards required for designation as official statistics, which means they undergo rigorous quality assurance before publication.

One notable feature of the report is the inclusion of both headline participation and the lottery-adjusted figure, and this dual presentation helps clarify the role of different products in overall engagement. Data on harms receives similar treatment, with the PGSI results presented alongside other indicators of negative consequences. Those who have examined earlier waves of the survey can now place the 2025 numbers in a longer context that stretches back to the first comparable report.

Key Statistics at a Glance

• 47 percent of adults gambled in the past four weeks during 2025
• 27 percent participated when lottery-only activity was removed
• 2.4 percent recorded a PGSI score of 8 or higher
• 84 percent cited the chance of winning big money as a reason to gamble
• Approximately 20,000 respondents contributed to each annual wave

The report also presents breakdowns by demographic characteristics and gambling type, and these details show where participation concentrates. Positive or neutral emotional responses appear among the majority of those who gambled, while smaller proportions report mixed or negative feelings. The three-year dataset now allows observers to check whether these patterns remain consistent or begin to change in future releases.

Conclusion

The third annual GSGB report supplies a stable set of benchmarks that cover participation, problem gambling prevalence, motivations, and attitudes. Because the survey maintains the same methods and sample size across years, the figures support direct comparison and trend analysis. The latest release confirms that headline rates have held steady through 2025, and the Commission has made the full dataset available for further examination through its official channels. Gambling Survey for Great Britain (Annual Report 2025): Official statistics provides the complete tables and methodology notes that underpin these findings.