Gambling Participation in Britain Remains Steady, Survey Shows
Participation in gambling activities across Britain has remained steady at 48%, according to the latest survey conducted by the Gambling Commission. The data, collected between April and July 2024, highlights stable engagement levels, with a significant portion of participants limiting their involvement to lottery draws.
The survey, conducted by NatCen and based on interviews with 4,657 adults aged 18 and above, sheds light on national gambling trends:
- Overall Participation: 48% of respondents engaged in some form of gambling in the four weeks preceding the survey. This figure aligns with data from 2023 and early 2024.
- Lottery Focus: 20% of participants engaged exclusively in lottery draws, such as the National Lottery or charitable lotteries. Excluding these participants, overall gambling involvement drops to 28%.
- Online Gambling Growth: 37% reported participating in online gambling, though this figure includes online lottery players. Without them, online gambling participation is 17%.
- In-Person Gaming: 29% of respondents reported engaging in in-person gambling, reducing to 18% when excluding lottery players.
Demographic Trends:
Participation varied significantly across demographic groups:
- Age and Gender: Men aged 45–64 reported the highest overall gambling rates. When excluding lottery-only players, men aged 25–34 were the most active gamblers.
- Activity Types: The most popular gambling activities were:
- National Lottery (31%)
- Other charitable lotteries (16%)
- Scratch cards (12%)
- Betting (12%)
- Online instant-win games (7%)
The survey also noted a 3% increase in betting participation compared to earlier in 2024.
Methodology and Future Reports:
The survey methodology differs from past editions, making historical comparisons challenging. The next quarterly report is scheduled for release on 27 February 2025.
While gambling participation remains consistent, the report highlights notable shifts in online and betting activity. The evolving landscape underscores the need for continued monitoring as the Gambling Commission prepares its next findings.
