UK Survey: Men More Prone to Problem Gambling Compared to Women

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has unveiled its inaugural annual report on gambling engagement in the UK, conducted in collaboration with the National Centre for Social Research and the University of Glasgow. The comprehensive study, based on a survey encompassing nearly 10,000 adults across the United Kingdom.

The study provides valuable insights into British attitudes toward gambling, including participation rates, motivations for betting, and the potential impacts on individuals and families. The survey was conducted from July 2023 to February 2024.

48% of respondents reported engaging in gambling activities within the preceding four weeks, which decreases to 27% when excluding lottery participation. 

Online gambling (37%) eclipses land-based options (29%) in popularity among Britons.

However, lotteries, often purchased online, play a significant role. Excluding lottery games, land-based gambling is prevalent among 18% of respondents, while online gambling garnered 15%.

Participants were also asked to rate their satisfaction with their gambling experience:

• 41% of Britons who gambled in the past 12 months expressed positive sentiments.
• 21% gave a negative evaluation.
• 37% viewed their participation neutrally.

The survey also highlighted disparities in problem gambling tendencies, with male participants exhibiting a higher susceptibility compared to their female counterparts. Additionally, individuals aged between 18 and 34 face elevated risks associated with gambling activities. Notably, online slots emerged as the most precarious form of gambling, with users six times more likely to encounter issues related to problem gambling.