Report
Understanding the adverse consequences of gambling: the role of gambling activity
The Gambling Commission's report on gambling activity and demographic differences in risk of adverse consequences.
Summary
Our previous research found that adverse consequences from gambling were most prevalent among males, younger participants, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and those living in lower income households. This report builds upon these findings by exploring whether the increased susceptibility to adverse consequences in these groups can be explained by differences in the types of gambling activities that they play. We conducted secondary analysis of Year 2 GSGB data (2024), focusing on participants who had gambled in the past 4 weeks.
Results showed that past 4-week participation in casino games, fruit and slots, and online instant-win games, helped explain why some groups are more likely to experience adverse consequences from gambling. While differences in engagement with these activities fully explained the elevated risk observed among men, they only partly explained the higher prevalence of harm among younger adults, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and those living in lower-income households. Future research is needed to explore how wider contextual factors, such as financial pressure, stigma, and barriers to support, contribute to the heightened risk of adverse consequences observed in these groups.
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Background - Adverse consequences
Last updated: 6 July 2026
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