Gambling Survey 2025: Problem Gambling Rate in UK at 2.4%

The latest Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) from July 2026 sheds light on developments in the UK gambling market. Fewer people gambled in 2025, and online participation remained stable. However, the results have been intensely debated and heavily criticized since their introduction in 2023. The validity of the data is particularly questioned.

The figures now presented by the Gambling Commission suggest a slight easing in problem gambling. Nevertheless, experts warn against overestimating the results. There seem to be differing views on the methodology and relevance of the data collected, further fueling the debate on effective player protection and regulation.

Numbers and facts

The most recent Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), published in July 2026, indicates a slight decrease in overall gambling participation. In 2025, 59% of adults gambled in the past 12 months, a marginal drop from 60% a year earlier. Participation over the previous four weeks edged down from 48% to 47%. Gambling expert Dan Waugh, Partner at Regulus Partners, is critical of the GSGB's methodology: "The survey is likely to over-sample gamblers (and highly engaged gamblers in particular) because it is advertised as a gambling survey."

The National Lottery remained the most popular gambling product, with 31% of adults purchasing tickets. Participation in other charity lotteries held steady at 16%. Scratchcard participation fell slightly from 13% to 12%. The problem gambling rate, measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), decreased from 2.7% in 2024 to 2.4% in 2025. This marks a reduction in the proportion of those scoring eight or more points. However, moderate-risk gambling increased slightly from 3.1% to 3.5%. The proportion of low-risk gamblers declined from 8.8% to 7.8%.

The Gambling Commission itself noted that these figures show consumer engagement in gambling to be stable at a "headline level." However, it emphasized that the survey is useful for identifying trends at a sub-population level, including an increase in gambling participation among men aged 55 and over. It is also interesting that the proportion of respondents reporting harm from someone else's gambling decreased from 48% to 43.2%.

Other studies contradict this. For example, an analysis from October 2025 shows that an estimated 1.4 million adults in Britain have a gambling problem. This corresponds to 2.7% of adults who score 8 or higher on the PGSI. This study, previously acknowledged by the Gambling Commission in an earlier publication (2025), was described as a "landmark study" and highlighted the growing danger of slot machines and in-play betting.

Background

The GSGB survey has faced sharp criticism since its introduction. Dan Waugh questions the reliability of the data. He previously asserted that the Commission publishes "results in the knowledge that the results are inaccurate." Waugh fears that these data could be used to justify "tighter controls on consumers and higher taxation for licensees." He points out that the GSGB reports inflated rates of gambling participation and problem gambling compared to previous official surveys, such as the NHS Health Surveys and the British Gambling Prevalence Survey. He argues that telephone surveys might underestimate gambling and problem gambling, while the GSGB, by definition, over-represents gamblers because it is advertised as a gambling survey. Telephone surveys are also more susceptible to "social desirability bias," where respondents provide answers perceived as more socially acceptable.

According to Dan Waugh, the Gambling Commission must conduct a more detailed analysis of the collected information and better identify any inconsistencies compared to other industry surveys to comply with the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice. This code requires prominent explanation of the statistics' quality, including strengths and limitations.

Meanwhile, Gambling With Lives, an organization dedicated to combating gambling addiction, estimates that 1.4 million adults in Britain suffer from problem gambling. The organization thus underscores the severity of the issue, even if the latest GSGB shows a slight decrease in problem gamblers. Particularly concerning, according to Gambling With Lives, are the high rates of problem gambling among 18- to 24-year-olds (10.2%) and among users of online slots and casino games, where over 40% of users are seriously harmed. The organization also mentions the psychological burden: more than 12% of survey participants have thought about or attempted suicide. Over 5% explicitly link this to gambling problems. These figures present a clear contrast to the general reduction in problem gamblers reported in the GSGB survey.

Why it matters for German players

The debate in the UK about the accuracy of problem gambling data is also important for German players. It highlights the difficulty of obtaining reliable figures and establishing appropriate regulations. In Germany, the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) regulates online gambling. It has introduced strict rules for player protection. These include a 1-euro stake limit per spin on slot machines and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros for all providers combined. These limits aim to minimize the risk of problem gambling. The central self-exclusion system LUGAS is another component of German player protection. It allows players to self-exclude across all forms of gambling.

Unlike in the UK, where the Gambling Commission collects its data, in Germany, the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) is responsible for licensing and supervision. The GGL places great importance on compliance with regulations and the protection of players. German players should therefore only play with providers who hold a German license and are listed on the GGL whitelist. This ensures the best protection against gambling addiction and financial problems. This is very different from the sometimes lax regulations under MGA or Curacao licenses, which do not constitute a legal offering in Germany. Despite all criticism of the GSGB in the UK, the discussion there is an important indication that a long-term review of measures and their effectiveness is essential in Germany as well.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For online casinos with a German GGL license, the debate in the UK also implies a continuous obligation to take player protection seriously. The GlüStV 2021 has already set high standards, which must always consider British figures – whether assessed as low or high. GGL-licensed providers must adhere to strict advertising regulations and provide players with comprehensive information and support services. Prevention measures and strict adherence to stake and deposit limits are not recommendations but obligations. Self-exclusion via LUGAS must also function smoothly. Discussions in other countries, such as the UK, can provide useful insights for the GGL. This can help it adapt and improve its own protective measures. The GSGB figures, even if disputed, should encourage the GGL and its licensees to continue critically questioning the effectiveness of German protective measures and to optimize them based on data. Only then can a safe and responsible gambling environment be ensured for German players.

"In recent years, the Gambling Commission has funnelled millions of pounds into anti-gambling activism, suppressed evidence on the basis of convenience and promoted illiberal speech codes. It has skirted with conduct beyond the pale." - Dan Waugh, Partner at Regulus Partners