Survey: Half of Britons Admit to Gambling

The UK Gambling Commission has published the results of a 2024 survey showing that 48% of adults reported gambling within the past four weeks. Even excluding those who only bought lottery tickets, the figure remains high at 28%.

The survey found that women gamble almost as often as men. According to the report, around 43% of female respondents said they had placed bets, played slots, or purchased lottery tickets.

The Gambling Survey for Great Britain also revealed that 2.7% of adults scored in the critical range on the international PGSI scale, indicating serious gambling problems. Experts estimate this represents millions of people for whom gambling has shifted from entertainment to a threat to financial and family stability.

The regulator has already introduced protective measures, including financial checks for monthly spending over £150, a ban on slot auto-play, slowing the pace of online games, and stricter player verification rules.

These steps are intended to reduce risks, but rights groups argue they are insufficient. Civil society organizations are calling for tighter restrictions on gambling advertising and tougher government policies. They stress that the issue is not just about statistics but about millions of British families losing money in casinos and on betting.