The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released the Wave-2 datasets from the 2024 Gambling Survey of Great Britain (GSGB). The GSGB uses a revised survey format and research methodology, conducted by NatCen, to measure gambling prevalence and provide updated data on gambling habits, attitudes, and associated harms across the adult population in Great Britain.
Following a two-year technical review, the initial Wave-1 datasets were published on 29 February 2024, marking the start of a new approach to data collection. This transition aims to offer stakeholders more frequent and reliable data on gambling trends.
It is important to note that neither the Wave-1 nor Wave-2 datasets include statistics from the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) for UK adults. These figures are reported separately in the Commission’s annual Official Statistics on Gambling Participation, which focuses on the impact of gambling on individuals and their close relations.
Wave-2 datasets are based on a nationally representative sample of 4,657 adults aged 18 and over, interviewed by NatCen between April and July 2024.
Key Findings on Gambling Prevalence
The Wave-2 results indicate that 48% of adults participated in gambling activities during the past four weeks, a figure consistent with findings from 2023 and Wave-1 of 2024. Excluding lottery draws, the participation rate drops to 28%.
Among males, 52% gambled in the past four weeks, reducing to 32.4% when lottery-only participation is excluded. For females, the figures stand at 43.6% and 24.7% respectively.
The highest overall gambling participation, including lotteries, was reported in the 45–54 age group at 55.2%. When lottery participation is excluded, the 25–34 age group leads with a rate of 35.8%. Across all age groups, female participation remains lower than male participation.
Online Gambling Trends
Online gambling participation was reported at 37.4% overall, dropping to 17.2% when lottery-only participants are excluded. Among males, 42.2% engaged in online gambling, which reduces to 22.0% excluding lottery participants. For females, these rates are 33.0% and 12.7% respectively.
The highest online gambling rates, including lottery players, were observed in the 45–54 age group at 45.5%. Excluding lottery-only participants, the highest rates shift to the 18–24 and 25–34 age groups, both at 23.9%.
Breakdown of Gambling Activities
The most popular gambling activities in the past four weeks included National Lottery draws (31%) and charity lottery draws (16%). Other common activities included scratchcards (12%), betting (12%), and online instant win games (7%). Compared to Wave-1, betting participation has increased by over three percentage points.
Betting activities were reported by 12.4% of respondents, with participation notably higher among males (18.5%) compared to females (6.5%). Among betting types, sports and racing, either online or via apps, were the most popular, with 10.3% of respondents engaging—15.8% male and 5.1% female. Online casino games had a participation rate of 2.8%, with males accounting for 4.8% and females 0.9%.
Clarification on Data Comparisons
The Commission emphasises that the GSGB data is not directly comparable to previous gambling surveys due to changes in methodology. It reminds stakeholders that these datasets represent the official statistics on gambling participation in Great Britain.
This release provides vital insights into gambling behaviours and trends, supporting informed decisions for policy-making and industry practices.