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This report contains findings from the third year (2025) of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).
Published: 16 July 2026
Last updated: 16 July 2026
This version was printed or saved on: 16 July 2026
Online version: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/report/gambling-survey-for-great-britain-annual-report-2025-official-statistics
This report contains findings from the third year (2025) of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).
The survey aims to collect data to enable us to further understand:
This survey was conducted using a push-to-web approach, with data collected from 20,775 adults aged 18 years and older living in Great Britain. Fieldwork was carried out between January 2025 and January 2026, consisting of 4 waves running quarterly. The survey is commissioned by the Gambling Commission and carried out by the National Centre for Social Research in collaboration with the University of Glasgow. Further details about the methodology and its strengths and weaknesses, can be found in the GSGB Technical Report.
The GSGB data outlined in this 2025 report represents the third year of the new baseline. It is a new baseline because previous data on gambling behaviours was collected using a different methodology. GSGB uses a push-to-web methodology, which differs from the survey data collection methods previously used to gather data on gambling. The strengths and weaknesses of the push-to-web approach are outlined in the GSGB Technical Report. In line with general literature on survey methodology, and the findings from Sturgis (2025) (opens in new tab) we know that a gambling focused survey like GSGB can over sample people who gamble, but the presence of an interviewer (as per previous survey methodologies) has a substantial effect on reported gambling impacts. Therefore, comparisons with surveys prior to year 1 of the GSGB (2023) should not be made.
The sample size of the GSGB was smaller in year 1 (2023) than years 2 (2024) and 3 (2025), however all surveys are sufficiently powered to enable comparison of estimates. Some of these are presented separately in the accompanying Gambling Survey for Great Britain: Trends Report 2023 to 2025 and the associated data tables.
The GSGB, like most other surveys, collects information from a sample of the population. Statistics based on surveys are therefore estimates, rather than precise figures, and are subject to a margin of error (a 95 percent confidence interval1). Generally, the larger the sample the smaller the margin of error. Consequently, the 2025 survey has a sample size of over 20,000 participants to minimise the margin of error. Throughout this report, unless specified otherwise, findings that have been included and all differences noted between subgroups are significant at the 95 percent significance level.
1 A 95 percent confidence interval indicates a range of which the true population value lies, with 95 percent certainty. For example, if the survey was repeated multiple times, such a 95 percent confidence interval would contain the true value 95 percent of the time.
In 2025, 59 percent (95 percent confidence interval (CI): 57.8 to 60.2) of adults aged 18 and over participated in any form of gambling in the past 12 months and 47 percent (95 percent CI: 46.3 to 48.6) had participated in gambling in the past 4 weeks.
When applied to the adult (aged 18 and older) population of Great Britain, these estimates suggest that approximately 31 million adults gambled in the past 12 months and 25 million gambled in the past 4 weeks.
When those who only participated in lottery draws were excluded, gambling participation was 40 percent in the past 12 months and 27 percent in the past 4 weeks.
In 2025, male participants (51 percent, 95 percent CI: 49.1 to 52.0) were more likely to have participated in gambling in the past 4 weeks than female participants (44 percent, 95 percent CI: 43.2 to 45.8).
Male participants (30 percent) were also more likely to have gambled on something other than lottery draws alone, than female participants (24 percent).
Participants aged 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 were most likely to take part in any form of gambling in the past 4 weeks (53 percent, 95 percent CI: 50.6 to 55.3, and 55 percent , 95 percent CI: 52.8 to 56.8, respectively) and participants in the youngest age group were least likely (33 percent, 95 percent CI: 29.9 to 36.1, of those aged 18 to 24).
When those who only participated in lottery draws were excluded, gambling participation in the past 4 weeks was highest for those aged 25 to 44 years (33 percent) and subsequently decreased with age to 14 percent for those aged 75 years and over.
The most common gambling activities in the past 4 weeks among all participants were:
This varied by age group and sex, with the above statement holding true for those aged 35 and above and for female participants. It did not hold true for those aged 18 to 34 and for male participants, who instead of buying scratchcards included betting on sports and racing online in their most 3 common activities.
Participants who gambled in the past 4 weeks took part in a mean of 2.4 different types of gambling activities. When those who only participated in lottery draws were excluded, the mean number of gambling activities was 3.2.
The mean number of gambling activities participants took part in in the past 4 weeks was highest among those aged 18 to 24 with 3.6 activities and subsequently decreased with age to 1.7 activities among those aged 75 or over. Excluding those who only participated in lottery draws, the mean number of gambling activities was highest among those aged 18 to 24 with 3.9 activities and lowest among those aged 75 or over with 2.6 activities.
A higher proportion of participants gambled online in the past 4 weeks than in person (that is to gamble at a venue or purchase lottery tickets or scratchcards from shops or other vendors), with 38 percent participating in online gambling and 28 percent participating in in person gambling. However, much of this difference was accounted for by online purchases of lottery tickets. When lottery draw only players were excluded, 16 percent of participants gambled online, and 17 percent gambled in person.
Male participants (42 percent) were more likely to have taken part in online gambling in the past 4 weeks than female participants (34 percent) and to have gambled on online activities other than lottery draws (20 percent for males and 12 percent for females).
Male participants (29 percent) were also more likely to have gambled in person in the past 4 weeks than female participants (27 percent), although the proportion was similar when lottery draw only players were excluded (18 percent for males and 17 percent for females).
Further details can be found in the accompanying set of data tables for the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) Annual Report 2025, specifically tables B.1 to B.13.
When asked to rate their feelings towards gambling out of 10, where 10 represented that they loved it, 0 represented that they hated it, and 5 represented the neutral mid-point:
The pattern was similar when those who only participated in lottery draws were excluded, with a higher proportion giving a positive score (49 percent gave a positive score between 6 and 10, 20 percent a negative score between 0 and 4, and 31 percent a neutral score of 5).
The most common reasons for adults to participate in gambling at least sometimes were:
Further details on the experiences and reasons for gambling can be found in the accompanying set of data tables for the GSGB Annual Report 2025, specifically tables C.1 to C.3.
Reasons for gambling varied by the type of activity respondents took part in. This is explored in further detail in the Investigating the relationship between reasons for gambling and different gambling activities report.
Gambling can lead to a range of adverse consequences. This includes the experience of gambling disorder (a recognised health condition (opens in new tab)) but can also include wide ranging adverse consequences experienced either by the person who gambles or by their family, friends, and wider social networks. These consequences range in severity and include negative effects on physical and mental health, relationship discord and breakdown, and financial difficulties.
In the following section, data is first presented on the adverse consequences of gambling as measured using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) (opens in new tab). This is followed by information on a wider range of adverse consequences from gambling which are not included within the PGSI (for example, conflict with family, social isolation, relationship breakdown, experience of violence and abuse, and suicide ideation or attempts).
Further details can be found in the accompanying set of data tables for the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) Annual Report 2025, specifically tables D.1 to D.10.
The PGSI is used to measure both behavioural symptoms of gambling disorder and certain adverse consequences from gambling. The PGSI consists of 9 items that are rated on a 4 point-scale. Responses to the 9 PGSI questions are summed and a score ranging between 0 and 27 is computed. Scores are then grouped into the following categories:
The PGSI categories represent a continuum of risk, ranging from those experiencing no adverse consequences or behavioural symptoms of disorder to those experiencing both. Estimates of gambling and its impacts vary substantially depending on survey methodology, with the GSGB typically reporting higher PGSI scores than more traditional face to face surveys. Research was undertaken to explore the impact of survey mode in more detail, finding that a good part of the difference in PGSI estimates between online and in-person interview surveys is due to downward biases as a result of interviewer administration.
In 2025, among all participants:
Population estimates for PGSI can be calculated using the guidance available. For example, in 2025, estimates suggest approximately 1.3 million adults in Great Britain score 8 or more on the PGSI.
Among those who had gambled in the past 12 months:
Male participants who had gambled in the past 12 months were more likely to have higher PGSI scores (15.0 percent scored 1 to 2 on the PGSI, 8.0 percent scored 3 to 7 on the PGSI and 5.3 percent scored 8 or more on the PGSI) than female participants (11.4 percent scored 1 to 2 on the PGSI, 3.8 percent scored 3 to 7 on the PGSI and 2.7 percent scored 8 or more on the PGSI).
Younger participants who had gambled in the past 12 months were more likely to have higher PGSI scores than older participants; 10.4 percent of those aged 18 to 24 scored 8 or more on the PGSI and 0.8 percent aged 75 and over scored 8 or more on the PGSI. Similarly, 10.2 percent of those aged 18 to 24 scored 3 to 7 on the PGSI compared to 1.8 percent among those aged 75 and over.
The proportion of participants with a PGSI score of 8 or more was 10 times higher for those who had taken part in betting on non-sports events in person, such as betting on the outcomes of elections or TV shows, relative to all participants who had gambled in the past 12 months.
The proportion of participants with a PGSI score of 8 or more was also at least 5 times higher relative to all participants who had gambled in the past 12 months for several activities such as:
The proportion of participants with a PGSI score of 8 or more was highest among those living in the most deprived areas (as measured using Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores presented by quintiles) of England. In England the proportion of participants with a PGSI score of 8 or more was 4.5 percent among those living in the most deprived areas and 1.2 percent among those living in the least deprived areas. In Scotland, the proportion of participants with a PGSI score of 8 or more was highest in the second most deprived quintile and lowest in the second least deprived quintile (4.6 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively). In Wales, the proportion of participants with a PGSI score of 8 or more was 1.7 percent; estimates by IMD quintile are not commented on due to small sample sizes.
Further exploration of the relationship between the profiles of those who participate in gambling more frequently and PGSI scores can be found in the Investigating the profiles of those who gamble more frequently report and the Exploring the relationship between gambling activities and Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores report.
Further details can be found in the accompanying set of data tables for the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) Annual Report 2025, specifically tables D.11 to D.21.
The GSGB includes a broader range of adverse consequences from gambling. These aim to add a greater level of insight into the adverse consequences of gambling that are experienced over and above the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). These questions, asked of those who had gambled in the past 12 months, were split into 2 types:
In GSGB 2025, 2.7 percent of adults who had gambled in the past 12 months had experienced one or more severe consequence. Experiencing a relationship breakdown due to one’s own gambling was the most reported severe consequence (1.7 percent) among adults who had gambled in the past 12 months.
Male participants who had gambled in the past 12 months (3.5 percent) were more likely to experience at least one severe consequence due to their own gambling than female participants who had gambled in the past 12 months (1.8 percent).
Experiencing at least one severe consequence due to one’s own gambling decreased with age from 5.5 percent of those aged 18 to 34 who gambled in the past 12 months, to 0.7 percent of those aged 55 and over who gambled in the past 12 months.
Participants were asked if they had thought about taking their own life or had attempted to do so in the past 12 months. Those who answered yes were then asked if this was related to their gambling.
11.3 percent of all participants reported they had thought about or attempted taking their own life. 4.6 percent of those 11.3 percent reported that this was related to their gambling either a little or a lot.
Among those who gambled in the past 12 months and who reported they had thought about or attempted taking their own life, male participants (9.9 percent) were more likely to report than females (4.2 percent) that this was related to their gambling either a little or a lot.
It is worth noting, in an area which is very difficult to research, that the 11.3 percent of adults who had thought about or attempted taking their own life in the past 12 months represents an estimate higher than that reported in the most recent Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) (opens in new tab) in 2023 to 2024 (6.7 percent). This APMS data was based on questions asked face-to-face by an interviewer. APMS 2023 to 2024 also published results based on questions asked of participants within the self-completion section of the interview. This estimated that 25.5 percent had thought about suicide in the past 12 months and 7.7 percent had attempted suicide in the past 12 months. The APMS results indicate the potential impact of mode effects in survey research, which in line with the Sturgis (2025) findings (opens in new tab), reflects the general literature in this area. Because there is uncertainty as to which estimate is closer to the truth, data on gambling-related suicidality within GSGB is presented for those who reported past year thoughts about taking their own life or attempts only. Population prevalence estimates are not presented.
Among those who gambled in the past 12 months, the most reported potential adverse consequences due to one’s own gambling were:
Lying to family was the most reported adverse consequence among males who gambled in the past 12 months (8.0 percent reported this happening at least occasionally). Among females who gambled in the past 12 months reducing spending on everyday items was the most reported adverse consequence (5.0 percent reported this happening at least occasionally).
The relationship between demographic characteristics and the likelihood of experiencing adverse consequences from gambling is explored further in the Understanding the adverse consequences of gambling report.
Of those who gambled in the past 12 months, 3.4 percent had sought support because of their own gambling. The proportion of those seeking support from each type of service (for example mental health services, food banks and/or welfare organisations, relationship counselling and gambling support services) was similar, ranging from 1.4 percent for gambling support services to 1.7 percent for mental health services.
The proportion of those who had gambled in the past 12 months reporting they had sought support because of their own gambling increased with PGSI score, from 0.8 percent of those with a PGSI score of 0 to 47.3 percent of those with a PGSI score of 8 or more.
The GSGB includes questions about the impact of someone else’s gambling. These questions covered the same set of severe and potential adverse consequences due to one’s own gambling outlined above. Questions were only asked of those who reported someone close to them gambled.
43.2 percent of all participants reported that someone close to them gambled, even if occasionally.
4.8 percent of participants reporting that someone close to them gambles had experienced one or more severe consequences from someone else’s gambling.
The most reported severe consequence from someone else’s gambling was relationship breakdown (3.3 precent).
Of those who reported that someone close to them gambled, the most reported potential adverse consequences of someone else’s gambling were:
Further exploration of affected others can be found in the Insights into affected others from GSGB report.
Participants who reported that someone close to them gambled were asked whether they had sought any help, support, or information as a result.
Of those who had reported that someone close to them gambled, 3.3 percent had sought some form of support due to someone else’s gambling. The proportion of participants who had sought support from each type of service was similar, ranging from 1.4 percent for food banks and welfare organisations to 1.6 for mental health services and relationship counselling and support services.
This online questionnaire content was used for the 2025 Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).
Respondents were given the opportunity to complete an online or paper version of the questionnaire. Some questions were asked only on the online version of the questionnaire and where this is the case, this has been specified.
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
(Ask all)
This survey is for adults aged 18 years and older. Please confirm that you are aged 18 years or older.
Responses include:
(Ask all)
In the past 4 weeks, which of the following activities, if any, did you do?
Responses include:
(Ask all)
In the past 4 weeks have you used the internet for any of the following?
Please select all that apply
(Ask all)
Have you spent money on any of the following activities, including online and in-person, in the last 12 months?
Responses include:
If respondents did not gamble in the past year, they were routed forward to the gambling attitude questions.
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents gambled in the past year on ‘Another form of gambling’, they were required to answer the following.
During the past 12 months, which other gambling activities did you spend money on? (open text response)
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
Thinking about the last time you spent money on gambling (in essence, lotteries, scratchcards, betting, bingo, casino games or fruit and/or slot machines) how did you feel? Please provide a number between 0 and 10, with 0 indicating ‘hated it’ and 10 indicating ‘loved it’. (open numerical response)
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
The following question lists reasons that some people have given about why they take part in the gambling activities listed earlier in the questionnaire. For each one, please state how often these are reasons why you take part in some of these activities. I take part in these activities…
Responses include:
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
In the last 12 months, how often…
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
In the last 12 months, how often, if at all, have you ever experienced a moment when you spent more than you’d intended while gambling, or you ignored any spending limits you usually give yourself?
If respondents selected ‘never’ to binge question 1, they were routed forward to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) questions.
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
In the last 12 months, would you say you’ve ever had a gambling ‘binge’?
If respondents selected ‘no’ to binge question 2, they were required to route to the PGSI questions.
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
Thinking about the last time you had a gambling ‘binge’, how did you feel about it during, and afterwards?
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents answered ‘Yes’ to binge question 2, they were required to answer the following question.
Thinking about the last time you had a gambling ‘binge’, what activity or activities was it?
Please select all that apply
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
Which, if any, of the following gambling management tools are you aware of, specifically to reduce gambling?
Please select all that apply
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
In the past 12 months, have you tried to stop, reduce or cut down on the amount of gambling you do?
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents answered ‘Yes’ to the reduction of gambling question, they were required to answer the following.
Which, if any, of the following did you use to help you reduce or stop your gambling?
Please select all that apply
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents did use a gambling management tool, they were required to answer the following.
You said you have used a gambling management tool in the past 12 months. How has the tool or tools that you have used changed the amount of gambling you do?
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
In the past 12 months, how happy or unhappy have you been with the way gambling companies have treated you when you’ve gambled with them?
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents answered ‘Unhappy’ or ‘Very unhappy’ to the gambling treatment question, they were required to answer the following.
What action, if any, did you take?
Please select all that apply.
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
The next few questions are about the impact that gambling can have on some people. Please answer as honestly as you can. All of the answers you provide will be entirely confidential.
Thinking about your own gambling, how often in the last 12 months has your own gambling led you to...
Responses include:
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
In the last 12 months…
Responses include:
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
In the last 12 months, has your own gambling led you to seek to help, support or information online, in-person or by telephone from…
Responses include:
If respondents gambled in the past year, they were required to answer the following.
The next question relates to consumer trust in the gambling industry.
Thinking about all activities you have engaged in (such as betting, casino, bingo and lottery), both online and in person, how much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Responses include:
If respondents gambled in the past year on either tickets for the National Lottery draws – Lotto, Euromillions, Thunderball, Hotpicks, Set for Life or tickets for other charity lotteries, including the Health Lottery, Postcode Lottery and other lotteries, they were required to answer the following questions.
In the past 4 weeks, how often, if at all, have you spent money on any of the following activities, including online and in person?
Responses include:
If respondents had spent money on lottery tickets in the past 4 weeks either ‘About once’, ‘About once a fortnight’, ‘About once a week’, ‘A few times a week’, or ‘Everyday’, they were required to answer the following.
Which of the following, if any, lottery tickets did you buy in the past 4 weeks?
Please select all that apply
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents had spent money on National Lottery draw tickets in person in the past 4 weeks, they were required to answer the following.
In the past 4 weeks have you used a credit card to pay for National Lottery Draw tickets in person, for example, at a shop or garage.
Responses include:
If respondents gambled in the past year on either National Lottery scratchcards, Other scratchcards, National Lottery online instant win games or Other online instant wins, they were required to answer the following questions.
In the past 4 weeks, how often, if at all, have you spent money on any of the following activities, including online and in person?
Responses include:
If respondents gambled in the past 4 weeks on National Lottery scratchcards, they were required to answer the following question.
You mentioned that you have played National Lottery scratchcards in the past 4 weeks. Which of the following types of National Lottery scratchcards have you played in the past 4 weeks?
Please select all that apply
If respondents had spent money on National Lottery scratchcards in person in the past 4 weeks they were required to answer the following.
You mentioned that you have played National Lottery online instant win games in the past 4 weeks. Which of the following types of National Lottery online instant win games have you played in the past 4 weeks?
Please select all that apply
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents had spent money on National Lottery online instant wins or other online instant wins in the past 4 weeks they were required to answer the following.
In the past 4 weeks have you used a credit card to pay for National Lottery scratchcards in person, for example, at a shop or garage.
Responses include:
If respondents gambled in the past year on either Betting on sports and racing online and/or via an App, including virtual sports and/or races and e-sports, Betting on sports and racing in-person, for example at a bookmakers, including virtual sports and/or races and e-sports, Betting on the outcome of events such as TV shows, elections online and/or via an App, or Betting on the outcome of events such as TV shows, elections in-person, for example at a bookmakers, they were required to answer the following questions.
In the past 4 weeks, how often, if at all, have you spent money on any of the following activities, including online and in person?
Responses include:
If respondents spent money on betting in the past 4 weeks either ‘About once’, ‘About once a fortnight’, ‘About once a week’, ‘A few times a week, or 'Everyday’, they were required to answer the following.
In the past 4 weeks, have you bet in-play when betting on sports and/or races or the outcome of events? In-play betting means betting on things that happen once the game, match or event has started for example, who will win, next goal scorer, next point, next person to be eliminated.
If respondents answered ‘No’, they were routed to the ‘whether used a betting exchange’ question.
How often have you bet in-play in the past 4 weeks? If you are unsure, please estimate.
Thinking back over the past 4 weeks, how many in-play bets would you typically make once an individual game, match or event had started? If you are unsure, enter your best estimate.
Please enter a number.
If respondents spent money on betting in the past 4 weeks either ‘About once’, ‘About once a fortnight’, ‘About once a week’, ‘A few times a week,’ Everyday’, they were required to answer the following.
Did you use a betting exchange in the past 4 weeks?
If respondents spent money on Betting on sports or racing online in past 4 weeks, or Betting on sports or racing in person past 4 weeks, either ‘About once’, ‘About once a fortnight’, ‘About once a week’, ‘A few times a week, 'Everyday’, they were required to answer the following.
Which of the following did you spend money betting on in the past 4 weeks?
Please select all that apply
If respondents gambled in the past year on either Bingo played online and/or via an app or Bingo played at a venue, for example a bingo hall, social club, they were required to answer the following questions.
During the past 4 weeks, how often, if at all, have you spent money playing bingo…
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents spent money on Bingo in past 4 weeks, ‘About once’, ‘About once a fortnight’, ‘About once a week’, ‘A few times a week, 'Everyday’, they were required to answer the following.
You mentioned that you have spent money playing bingo at a venue in the past 4 weeks, where did you play? Please select all that apply.
If respondents have gambled in the past year on either Casino games played online and/or via an App for example, Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, Casino games played at a casino for example Poker, Roulette, Blackjack or Casino games (for example Poker, Roulette, Blackjack) played on a machine and/or terminal in a venue for example casino, bookmakers, club, pub, they were required to answer the following questions.
During the past 4 weeks, how often, if at all, have you spent money playing casino games for example, poker, roulette, blackjack…
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents spent money on casino games online either ‘About once’, ‘About once a fortnight’, ‘About once a week’, ‘A few times a week, 'Everyday’, they were required to answer the following.
When playing casino games for example, Poker, Roulette, Blackjack in past 4 weeks online and/or via an App, did you play with a live dealer?
If respondents gambled in the past year on either Fruit and/or slot machines in-person or Fruit and/or slot machines played online and/or via an app, they were required to answer the following questions.
During the past 4 weeks, how often, if at all, have you spent money playing fruit or slot based games…
Responses include:
If respondents spent money on fruit or slot machines ‘About once’, ‘About once a fortnight’, ‘About once a week’, ‘A few times a week,’ 'Everyday’, they were required to answer the following.
In the past 4 weeks, where did you play fruit or slot machines?
Please select all that apply
If respondents gambled in the past year on either football pools, private betting with for example friends, family, colleagues or another form of gambling, they were required to answer the following questions.
In the past 4 weeks, have you spent money on any of these activities, including online?
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondent has played online bingo, betting and casino in past 12 months, they were required to answer the following questions.
In terms of direct marketing, you receive about online bingo, betting and/or casino games from gambling companies, such as email or text messages, to what extent do agree or disagree with the following statements?
Responses:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
Respondents that have played online casinos in past 4 weeks are required to answer the following casino question.
There have been a number of changes introduced this year for online casino games, and we are interested in how your recent play on casino products and/or games may have changed compared with any play prior to January 2025. By online casino play games, we mean for example Roulette or Blackjack rather than slot machine games.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Responses
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
(Ask all)
This question is about online free-to-play games where you do not have to pay to gamble.
These games look and play like normal gambling games – for example Roulette, Poker, Slot machines and Bingo. They can include demos for gambling games on gambling websites. They can also include football prediction games that require players to have a gambling account to play for free but offer monetary prizes.
You might also play these games on social networking sites or use an app on a smartphone or tablet.
When, if ever, have you played online free-to-play games?
Responses include:
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents gambled online, they were required to answer the following.
This next question is about the ways in which you interact with gambling websites. Have you ever…
Responses (select one option per statement)
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
If respondents gambled online, they were required to answer the following.
In Great Britain, gambling websites are regulated by the Gambling Commission. As the regulator, the Commission provides licences to companies allowing them to operate in Britain if they meet a set of rules and requirements. Examples of some gambling companies licensed by the Commission include well-known companies such as William Hill, Bet365, Ladbrokes, and Coral.
Sometimes, however, there are some gambling companies that operate gambling websites in Great Britain without having a licence from the Commission. These websites may have a licence to operate in a different country, or not have one at all, from any country.
Have you intentionally gambled on a gambling website that did not have a licence to operate in Great Britain?
We want to assure you that the information you provide in this survey is completely confidential, and that individuals who gamble with unlicensed websites are not engaging in illegal activity.
Responses (select one option)
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
Respondents that have intentionally gambled on a gambling website in past 4 weeks that did not have a licence to operate in Great Britain are required to answer the following question.
Which gambling website(s) have you used in the last 4 weeks that you believe do not have a licence from the Gambling Commission?
Everything you tell us is completely confidential, we’ll only use this information to check the licensing status of these companies for research purposes.
Please enter your answers below.
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
(Ask all)
In the past 4 weeks, which of the following, if any, have you spent money on?
(Ask all)
The next set of questions are about gambling advertisement and marketing. By marketing we mean all the different ways that gambling companies use to communicate or promote themselves to people.
In the last month, have you seen or heard gambling being promoted in the following ways?
Responses include:
(Ask all)
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the National Lottery? Today I think that the National Lottery…
Responses include:
(Ask all)
GamStop is a national self-exclusion scheme that all online gambling companies licensed in Britain are part of.
In the past 4 weeks, have you registered yourself with GamStop (an online self-exclusion scheme) to prevent you accessing online gambling websites?
(Ask all)
Does anyone you are close to gamble, even if only occasionally? By gambling we mean spending money on activities such as lotteries, betting, casino and so on.
Please select all that apply
If respondents answered yes to knowing someone who gambles, they were required to answer the following.
And do you live with this person and/or any of these people?
If respondents answered ‘No’ or no answer to knowing someone who gambles, they were routed to the General Health questions.
The next few questions are about the impact that someone else’s gambling may have had on you, whether you live with them or not. Please answer as honestly as you can.
Thinking about someone else’s gambling, in the last 12 months…
Responses include:
If respondents answered 'Yes' to knowing someone who gambles, they were required to answer the following.
In the last 12 months, how often has someone else’s gambling led you to…
Responses include:
If respondents answered 'Yes' to knowing someone who gambles, they were required to answer the following.
In the last 12 months…
Responses include:
If respondents answered 'Yes' to knowing someone who gambles, they were required to answer the following.
In the last 12 months, has someone else’s gambling led you to seek help, support or information online, in-person or by telephone from…
Responses include:
(Ask all)
How would you say your health was in general?
(Ask all)
Do you have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting or expected to last for 12 months or more?
If respondents answered 'Yes' to physical or mental health conditions, they were required to answer the following.
ANALYSIS: “Whether day-to-day activities impacted by long-term health”
Do any of your conditions or illnesses reduce your ability to carry out day-to-day activities?
(Ask all)
Do you smoke cigarettes at all nowadays, not including electronic cigarettes or vaping products?
If respondents did not smoke, they were routed to the drinking frequency question.
(Ask all)
Do you use an e-cigarette or vaping device at all nowadays?
(Ask all)
How often did you have a drink containing alcohol in the past year?
If respondents answered ‘Never’, to the drinking frequency question, they were routed to the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS)
How many drinks did you have on a typical day when you were drinking in the past year?
If respondents answered ‘None, I do not drink’, they were routed to the SWEMWBS.
How often did you have six or more drinks on one occasion in the past year?
The following question was asked only on the online version)
(Ask all)
Please read the following statements and indicate how true each one is for you:
(Ask all)
Below are some statements about feelings and thoughts.
Please select one answer per statement that best describes your experience of each over the last 2 weeks.
Responses include:
Scale used: Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) © NHS Health Scotland, University of Warwick and University of Edinburgh, 2008, all rights reserved.
(ASK ALL)
In the last 12 months have you ever thought about taking your own life, even though you would not actually do it?
(Ask all)
In the last 12 months, have you made an attempt to take your life, by taking an overdose of tablets or in some other way?
If respondents answered ‘No’ to both self harm question 1 and 2, respondents were routed to the Sex question.
To what extent, if at all, was this related to your gambling?
(Ask all)
What is your sex?
A question about gender identity will follow.
(Ask all)
Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?
(Ask all)
What is your date of birth?
Please enter day, month, year
‘This survey is for individuals aged 18 years and older. Please check the date of birth you have entered.’
If respondents did not provide an answer for the year, they were required to answer the following.
What was your age last birthday?
(Enter number in years)
(Ask all)
Choose one option that best describes your ethnic group or background
White
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
Asian or Asian British
Black or African or Caribbean or Black British
Other ethnic group
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
(Ask all)
Which of the following options best describes how you think of yourself?
(Ask all)
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
What is your religion?
(Ask all)
Including you, how many adults aged 18 or over are currently living in your household?
(Ask all)
And how many children aged under 18 currently live in your household? If ‘none’, write in ‘0’.
(Ask all)
What is your legal marital or registered civil partnership status?
(Ask all)
Thinking of the income of your household as a whole, which of the groups on this list represents the total income of the whole household before deduction for income tax, National Insurance, and so on?
Please note that this includes income from benefits and savings.
(Ask all)
In which of these ways is your accommodation occupied?
(Ask all)
Do you have any educational qualifications for which you received a certificate?
If respondents answered ‘No’, they were required to answer the following question.
Do you have any professional, vocational or other work-related qualifications for which you received a certificate?
If respondents answered ‘Yes’ to having any educational qualifications for which they received a certificate or having any professional, vocational or other work-related qualifications for which they received a certificate, they were required to answer the following question.
Was your highest qualification:
(Ask all)
In the past 7 days, were you doing any of the following? Include casual or temporary work, even if only for one hour. Tick one option below.
If respondents answered, ‘None of the above’, they were required to answer the following.
Which of the following described what you were doing in the last seven days?
Tick one option below.
(Ask all)
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
Which of the following statements best reflects your essential monthly household finances at the moment? By essentials we mean rent and/or mortgage payments, bills such as energy and water, food and toiletries
(Ask all)
(The following question was asked only on the online version)
In the past 4 weeks, have you spent more or less on the following activities than you normally would?
Responses include:
(Ask all)
Sometimes we ask people who have taken part in this study to take part in other studies too. These studies may be carried out by NatCen Social Research or the Gambling Commission. You will only be contacted again for research purposes and only where there is a genuine reason for contacting you. You may never be contacted again, but if you are, you will still be free to decide whether you want to take part or not.
Are you willing to be contacted again for future research purposes?
Response options include:
If respondents said yes, they were routed to the following.
Do you have an email address we can contact you on?
This would only be used for research purposes.
If respondents said yes, they were routed to the following.
Please write your email address in the box below:
(Ask all)
We would like to send you a £10 shopping voucher via email to say thank you for your time and helping us with this survey.
Please note that it may take up to two weeks for the voucher to arrive.
Can you confirm you would like to receive your voucher?
If respondents agreed to receiving a voucher, they were routed to the following.
Please write in your full name. This would only be used for the purpose of sending you your voucher, and if you gave your permission, to be contacted about future research.
If respondents did not want a voucher, they were routed to the following.
Thank you for completing this survey. If you said that you would like to receive the £10 voucher and provided an email address, this will be sent to you within the next couple of weeks.
If you would like to speak to someone about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or at jo@samaritans.org
For free information, advice or support about gambling you can contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133 or at gamcare.org.uk (opens in new tab).
This PDF file is provided for context only and may not be fully accessible for all viewers. Full details of the questions asked in the postal questionnaire are listed within Appendix A - Online questionnaire.