UK Gambling Commission Releases Third GSGB Annual Report with Three-Year Trends on Participation and Harms

The UK Gambling Commission has published the third annual report from its Gambling Survey for Great Britain, and this edition marks the first time officials can draw on three consecutive years of consistent trend data. Covering responses from more than 20,000 participants collected throughout 2025, the survey tracks gambling participation, behaviours, attitudes and harms across the country. Researchers designed the GSGB to deliver comparable statistics year after year, which allows direct comparison of participation rates and problem gambling indicators from 2023 through 2025. Data collection relied on a large, nationally representative sample that captures both online and land-based activity. Because the same methodology applied across all three waves, analysts can now identify whether rates have shifted or remained steady without the distortions that arise from changing survey instruments. The report therefore supplies regulators, operators and public health bodies with the clearest picture yet of how gambling patterns evolve over time in Great Britain.

Stable Problem Gambling Rates Across Three Years

Problem gambling prevalence stayed at 2.4 percent when measured by a PGSI score of 8 or higher. This figure matches the rate recorded in the previous two annual reports, which means the proportion of respondents classified as problem gamblers has not changed measurably since the survey series began. The stability extends to several related indicators, including the share of people reporting any negative consequences from gambling and the percentage who say they have tried to cut back or stop. Additional PGSI categories also showed little movement. Moderate-risk gambling (scores of 3 to 7) and low-risk gambling (scores of 1 to 2) remained within the same narrow bands observed in 2023 and 2024. Observers note that the consistency across multiple harm metrics suggests the underlying drivers of problematic play have not produced detectable population-level change during the three-year window.

Insights into Motivations for Gambling

The 2025 wave added detailed questions about why people gamble, and responses reveal several consistent themes. The most frequently cited reasons include the chance to win money, entertainment value and social aspects such as betting with friends or family. A smaller but notable group mentioned using gambling as a way to escape everyday stress or to pass time. These motivational patterns held steady across demographic groups, although the balance between financial and recreational drivers varied by age and gambling type. Younger respondents more often listed excitement and social interaction, while older participants placed greater weight on the possibility of monetary returns. The survey does not attempt to rank these motivations by strength; instead it simply records the reasons respondents themselves volunteered.

Participation Trends and Behavioural Patterns

Overall participation rates have fluctuated only modestly since the first GSGB wave. Past-year gambling remained near the levels seen in 2023 and 2024, with online slots, sports betting and lottery draws continuing to attract the largest shares of respondents. The report also records the frequency of play and average session length, both of which showed little year-to-year variation. Attitudes toward gambling regulation stayed largely positive. Most respondents supported existing age restrictions and responsible gambling messaging, and support for these measures did not decline across the three survey years. The data further indicate that awareness of available support services for those experiencing harm has remained consistent.

Implications for Policy and Research

Because the GSGB now supplies three full years of comparable figures, the Gambling Commission and other organisations can use the dataset to evaluate whether specific interventions coincide with measurable shifts in behaviour or harm. The stability observed so far provides a baseline against which future changes can be assessed. Researchers have already begun comparing subgroups within the sample to explore whether certain demographic segments show different trajectories even when overall rates remain flat. The report also highlights areas where additional data collection could strengthen future waves. Questions on motivations, for example, open the door to more granular analysis of how different reasons for gambling correlate with harm indicators. Officials have indicated that subsequent surveys will retain the core modules while refining supplementary items to maintain trend continuity.

Conclusion

The third GSGB annual report delivers the first multi-year trend statistics on gambling in Great Britain, and the 2025 findings show problem gambling rates holding steady at 2.4 percent alongside consistent participation and attitudinal measures. The addition of motivation data enriches the dataset without altering the central message of stability across the three-year period. Gambling Survey for Great Britain (Annual Report 2025) – Official statistics remain available for further examination by anyone seeking the full set of tables and methodology details.