Cookies on the Gambling Commission website

The Gambling Commission website uses cookies to make the site work better for you. Some of these cookies are essential to how the site functions and others are optional. Optional cookies help us remember your settings, measure your use of the site and personalise how we communicate with you. Any data collected is anonymised and we do not set optional cookies unless you consent.

Set cookie preferences

You've accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. Beyond the Bet: Gambling, Engagement and Informed Choice at the 2026 World Cup

Guidance

Beyond the Bet: Gambling, Engagement and Informed Choice at the 2026 World Cup

The Gambling Commission's research on Gambling, Engagement and Informed Choice at the 2026 World Cup

Published
10 November 2026

Last updated
10 November 2026 - Changes

Document actions
Print or save (opens in new tab)

  1. Contents
  2. Methodology
  3. Key terminology

Key terminology

Specific terminology is used within this report, the following definitions represent the terms as described in the survey completed by respondents where possible.

Acca insurance (Accumulator insurance): Promotion offered by operators which refunds the stake from an accumulator bet, as a free bet, when one leg of the accumulator bet loses, provided requirements are met.

Betting: Betting is the making or accepting a bet on:

  1. the outcome of a race, competition or other event or process
  2. the likelihood of anything occurring or not occurring
  3. whether anything is or is not true.

Existing football bettors: Those who have previously bet on football including competitions such as the Champions League or Premier League.

In play betting: Bets placed after the match had started.

Micro betting: Bets on the next immediate event in the match that will happen in the next 5 minutes or less.

New football bettors: Those who were betting on football for the first time.

Occasional football bettors: Those who have previously bet on football but only on major events such as the Euros and the World Cup.

Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI): PGSI, a screening tool which measures ‘problem gambling’, that is, gambling to a degree that compromises, disrupts, or damages family, personal or recreational pursuits. A PGSI score of 8 and over represents gambling by which a person will have experienced adverse consequences from gambling and may have lost control of their behaviour. A PGSI score of 3 to 7 represents moderate risk gambling. A PGSI score of 1 to 2 represents low risk gambling.

Respondents: Where directly referring to data from quantitative research we use the term ‘respondent(s).’

Previous section
Overview of Methodology Next section
Limitations
Is this page useful?
Back to top