Gambling Survey for Great Britain GSGB

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If there are online operators servicing British residents without a proper licence from the UKGC, they are considered to be engaging in illegal activity. Excellent customer support is a hallmark of the best online casinos UK, ensuring that players receive the assistance they need promptly and efficiently. Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, email, and a contact form at reputable casinos like Magic Red. This round-the-clock availability ensures that players can get help whenever they need it, contributing to a seamless online UK casino experience.

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For many problem gamblers, it’s not quitting gambling that’s the biggest challenge, but rather staying in recovery—making a permanent commitment to stay away from gambling. The internet has made gambling far more accessible and, therefore, harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse. When gambling begins to impact your finances, relationships, and peace of mind, professional support can help you break the cycle. Talkspace offers an effective and private way to connect with licensed therapists specialized in addiction recovery. Use code HELPGUIDE85 to save $85 off your first month and see if your insurance covers your sessions. Our spend calculator only takes a few minutes and will give you a better understanding of the time and money you spend gambling, alongside recommendations to reduce your risk.

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The Commission is also known to work with its regulatory counterparts in other jurisdictions in tackling the black market. Gambling operators are subject to the advertising regulations of the UK Advertising Standards Authority and the industry of the British “Industry Group for Responsible Gambling”. Free-to-play casino games with prizes are regulated by the Gambling Commission (licence required).

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• Today’s White Paper and proposals follow a call for evidence and are based on nearly 16,000 written submissions sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) during the process.
• Unlicensed, illegal or offshore gambling poses significant regulatory challenges for all governments.
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• This suggests that gambling may trigger suicidal events in some people already prone to suicidal ideation.
• There are inequalities in the extent to which sub-groups of the population are affected by gambling.
• To address gaps in this evidence base PHE undertook a Delphi study on policies and interventions to reduce harmful gambling, which has been published in the Lancet.
• A similar review focused on adults is needed for a clearer understanding of risk factors for adults.
• If a problem is suspected, reaching out to support services like BeGambleAware is crucial for getting help.
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• Our National Lottery Act page has more information on how the legal lottery system works in Great Britain.
• There’s little desire amongst consumers for active intervention by operators – more passive messaging and touchpoints are preferred.
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Poor mental health is a stronger predictor of at-risk gambling than both poor physical health and negative health behaviours, with the notable exception of alcohol. The evidence review was underpinned by adapting an existing framework which classifies gambling-related harms by type. When faced with the consequences of their actions, people with gambling problems can suffer a crushing drop in self-esteem. This is one reason why there is a high rate of suicide among compulsive gamblers. While compulsive and problem gamblers need the support of their family and friends to help them in their struggle to stop gambling, the decision to quit has to be theirs.

1 The gambling population in England

If you don’t have enough money to live on, check if you can get help to pay for living costs. Some of the information and advice in this section is based on information and advice developed by West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic. ‘Problem gambling’ or ‘problematic gambling’ is defined as gambling that is disruptive or damaging to an individual or their family, or interferes with an individual’s daily life.

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These tools are designed to help players maintain control over their gambling activities and prevent problematic behavior. Withdrawal requests can take a couple of days to process, depending on the chosen payment method. The range of secure and convenient payment options at UK online casinos allows players to manage their funds easily, enhancing their overall experience. For those who value security and fairness, selecting UK-licensed online casinos is crucial.

‘Dodgy business’: UK market tenses as industry loses favour

You can find more information on our Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 page. We relied on Twitter and stakeholder consultations to build an understanding of stakeholder perspectives. It’s possible that Twitter users are not representative of the general population. It is also possible that people discussing gambling on Twitter and those who responded to the stakeholder consultation have a firmer opinion of gambling or have been affected by it in some way.

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It has been normalized through new commercial associations with sport and cultural activities that are now heavily promoted. Around 5.5% of women and 11.9% of men globally experience some level of harm from gambling (3). A Swedish study estimated that those with a gambling disorder were 15 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population (4). In Victoria Australia, at least 4.2% of suicides were found to be gambling-related (5). Casinos like Voodoo Dreams incorporate a dual-point system, where players earn experience points (XP) for leveling up and spell points (SP) for purchasing bonuses.

Mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders, often occur alongside gambling addiction. Some research also links pathological gambling to personality disorders, including antisocial, borderline, and narcissistic personality disorders. Aside from personality disorders, specific personality traits—especially impulsivity—can be risk factors for pathological gambling.

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No one under the age of 18 is allowed to place a bet with a licenced operator. Betting – Betting in the UK comes in the forms of fixed odds betting, pool betting, acting as a betting intermediary and spread betting. Each sector can be broken down into terms of what each represents, the brick-and-mortar options therein, legal gambling ages, etc. Generally, the minimum gambling age in England is 18, however, the minimum age to purchase a National Lottery ticket is sixteen. To enter and gamble at a casino or horse racetrack participants must be at least eighteen. It is also possible for smaller lotteries to be held without a licence, but these still require registration with the local authority in place.

• For instance, Spinzwin provides cashback bonuses that can be received as cash rather than just credits, with a cap at £500.
• The statistics presented in this report comprise our official statistics on gambling participation.
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• Although HSE is a good data source, not all topics relevant to gambling are included and we had to rely on other sources of published data to fill gaps.
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• Life situations, such as struggling financially and living alone, also seem to be risk factors.
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• If you have bipolar disorder, manic phases might lead you to risky behavior, such as making big bets.

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If you aren’t able to resist the gambling craving, don’t be too hard on yourself or use it as an excuse to give up. You may slip from time to time; the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and continue working towards recovery. Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control.

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Its heyday was in the Industrial Revolution era and came through horse race betting and small-time games played in local pubs. The government seemed to tolerate betting amongst the upper echelon of citizens while enforcing the lower class. The FCA’s main focus is creating a fair play environment within the UK financial markets.

What are the harms associated with gambling disorder?

Players should avoid using unfamiliar payment methods at unlicensed casinos to mitigate potential risks. By choosing reliable and secure payment options, players can ensure a smooth and hassle-free online gambling UK experience. MonixBet stands out as a top UK online casino, offering a competitive selection of sports betting options and casino games, catering to both casino enthusiasts and sports bettors. Ladbrokes has a huge range of offers on both its sportsbook and online casino, catering to all types of gamblers. It could have filled a couple of positions on this list, but it gets the vote as one of the best blackjack sites, largely because it’s one of a handful of gambling sites with a blackjack-specific offer. As young people got older there was a significant increase in online gambling among boys.

Popular e-wallet options like Skrill and Neteller are widely used at UK online casinos, providing fast and secure transactions. Debit cards and bank transfers are also common, offering reliable alternatives for players. No deposit bonuses are bonuses given without requiring a deposit, allowing players to explore the casino without risking their own money.

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Responding effectively requires intergovernmental cooperation to share data, protect consumers from unregulated practices and allow governments to capture lawful taxation revenue. Without effective protections, gambling may undermine progress toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly 3, 10 and 16. Gambling industry groups typically strongly oppose high-impact regulations and other measures that affect their commercial interests.

Until relatively recently, research on gambling has focused on people who experience severe problems, and there are clear gaps in the evidence base for the harms experienced by affected others and wider society. For instance, there are no questions about being affected by another person’s gambling in the HSE. In the act, gambling is defined as playing a game of chance for a prize, betting and participating in a lottery. Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges.

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• For other factors (including risk perception or family influences), there was either very low confidence in the evidence or insufficient evidence to determine if these are risk factors for gambling or harmful gambling.
• However, it’s important to note that withdrawal methods can sometimes differ from deposit methods.
• Persons wishing to enter the British land-based casino market have typically purchased existing businesses.
• Aside from personality disorders, specific personality traits—especially impulsivity—can be risk factors for pathological gambling.
• Based on 2018 HSE data, we estimated that 0.5% of the population reached the threshold to be considered experiencing problem gambling, and this proportion has remained relatively consistent since 2012.
• If a problem is suspected, reaching out to support services like BeGambleAware is crucial for getting help.
• The review is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver positive change for gambling in Great Britain and for all people impacted by it.
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• However, you can encourage them to seek help, support them in their efforts, and protect yourself.
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• About 1 in 3 people with a gambling disorder will recover on their own, without treatment.
• Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling.

The research created eight typologies which reflect the attitude and motivations towards a certain gambling occasion. The typologies apply to gambling occasions, not people and therefore one person could fall into different typologies in different situations. Its proceeds will be ring-fenced for funding for research, education and treatment, including through the NHS. Today’s White Paper and proposals follow a call for evidence and are based on nearly 16,000 written submissions sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) during the process.

• Gambling disorder can have a big impact on your personal and family life, your work and education, and the things you enjoy.
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• Approximately one fifth of respondents (21 percent) only took part in lottery draws (either National Lottery or other charity lottery draws) in the past 4 weeks.
• The Act also mandated that operators must pay 15% of their profits obtained from UK customers back as part of their licensing agreement.
• The legacy of gambling harm can endure throughout one’s life and transmit intergenerationally.
• In fact, some people gamble to alleviate stress; others to take their minds off their problems or socialize with friends.
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• As with all mental health problems, there is not one clear cause of gambling disorder.
• Setting budgets and tracking spending are key practices in responsible UK gambling.
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• It will be important to consider these when monitoring, and in any efforts to address gambling participation.
• Prevention is the most cost-effective strategy for minimizing gambling-related harm.
• We also estimated that 3.8% of the population are classified as gambling at elevated risks, differentiated into low risk and moderate risk gambling.
• However, some people can also gamble through betting on investment products or spending money to gain rewards in mobile or online games.
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• The popularity of UK online casinos has surged in the last decade, driven by increased mobile phone usage and the convenience they offer.
• While a gambling problem can start at any age, people who start as teenagers or young adults may grow into problem gamblers.
• In Stage 1, qualitative research was undertaken using self-ethnography, immersive depth interviews and workshops.
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• The UKGC’s purpose is to regulate all commercial gambling enterprises in the UK in conjunction with the proper licensing authorities.
• The internet has made gambling far more accessible and, therefore, harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse.
• The White Paper proposes reforming the fee structure for the Gambling Commission to give it greater flexibility to respond to any emerging risks and challenges posed by the industry.
• To answer question 4, we conducted an analysis to estimate direct, indirect, and intangible excess costs of gambling-related harms based on the best available evidence.

Understanding why people gamble and typologies

The government’s priority is to ensure there is sufficient long-term funding for high-quality research and treatment of gambling harm and addiction. A statutory levy will help problem gamblers access the right care at the right time, complementing our commitment to provide NHS gambling addiction treatment clinics in every region across the country. The measures we are announcing will protect at-risk players, while allowing the millions who bet regularly to do so unhindered. The commercialization of gambling in many countries – which also drives normalization – is increasing the incidence of gambling harm. Sponsorship or other association with popular sporting leagues, and the colocation of gambling products in social settings, are key mechanisms. Aggressive promotion of gambling in popular and social media also increases gambling activity.

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Most of the studies published on gambling and harm do not allow us to determine that gambling came before the harm. We intended to draw on previous reviews as well as primary studies, but we could not identify any reviews that focused on longitudinal studies. It’s possible that there are more longitudinal studies that we did not identify through this method. With the exception of commercial stakeholders, there was consensus across different types of stakeholders that gambling is a public health issue, and it requires a public health approach. The proportion of children and young revolut slots uk people (11 to 16) who participate in any gambling is reducing, similar to the trend in reducing participation in other risky behaviours. But participation in gambling is higher than smoking or taking drugs in this group and is higher in older children and boys.

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Nationally representative quotas were applied on age, gender, and region to ensure a representative spread of gamblers in the sample. Only about three percent of the highest spending accounts will have more detailed checks, similar to those carried out when people buy products through online credit agencies or sign up to some mobile phone contracts. Checks will happen in the background against information already available online, so those who are checked will not notice.

• Participation in National Lottery draws significantly increased by 3 percentage points from the end of 2024, from 29 percent to 32 percent in Wave 1, 2025.
• It has been normalized through new commercial associations with sport and cultural activities that are now heavily promoted.
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• A new stake limit for online slots will be introduced with the default maximum stake of between £2 and £15 per spin, subject to consultation.
• The remaining related to families or other social influences (5 factors), community-level influences (4 factors) and societal influences (3 factors).
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• There are biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological reasons why someone might develop a gambling disorder.
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• They may have sold family possessions or run up huge debts on joint credit cards.
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This can lead to food insecurity, housing problems and difficulties accessing healthcare and education. Gambling ‘for the chance to win big money and ‘because it’s fun’ remain the most popular reasons given as to why respondents gambled. Approximately one fifth of respondents (21 percent) only took part in lottery draws (either National Lottery or other charity lottery draws) in the past 4 weeks. This means when we exclude those who only took part in a lottery draw in the past 4 weeks from the overall gambling participation rate, gambling participation falls to 27 percent.

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• In most cases, this definition applies to slots, otherwise known as fruit or jackpot machines.
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• Heavy promotion of gambling online and through sport also poses risks of normalizing gambling for children and young people.
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• The one study that examined harms resulting from gambling reported no change overall in psychological distress, high risk alcohol consumption or smoking status in gamblers during the first lockdown.
• For example, so-called “Novelty Bets” are permitted on non-sporting events and, as mentioned above, betting on lotteries (apart from the British National Lottery) is also permitted.
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Overall participation in any gambling activity (in the past 4 weeks) was 48 percent. Despite a significant increase from the previous wave (46 percent), this figure is consistent with participation levels we saw for the same period in 2024. The data being released today is the latest edition of the Gambling Commission’s Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) conducted by the National Centre for Social Research. A nationally representative sample of 4,932 adults aged 18 and over were surveyed during the period 13 January 2025 to 27 April 2025.

• Gambling industry groups typically strongly oppose high-impact regulations and other measures that affect their commercial interests.
• A Swedish study estimated that those with a gambling disorder were 15 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population (4).
• Too much time spent on gambling can also lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide.
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• In 2018, 24.5 million people in England gambled (54% of the adult population, or 40% when you exclude the National Lottery).
• Each year the Gambling Survey for Great Britain will collect data from twenty thousand respondents and help us better understand peoples’ gambling behaviour and attitudes towards gambling up and down the country.
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Any business you gamble with must tell you whether your money is protected in case they go bust. You can also find more information about different topics relating to money and rights when gambling in our guides. Guides and information for helping you protect your money and understanding your rights when gambling. Reporting child abuse, NSPCC – If you are concerned that a child is experiencing abuse or neglect, the NSPCC can provide you with advice.