Statistics and research release
Gambling behaviour in 2022: Findings from the quarterly telephone survey
Findings from the quarterly telephone survey: Statistics on participation and problem gambling for 2022.
Summary
Also published recently
The Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) now gathers the latest data on gambling behaviours.
This statistical release covers the quarterly gambling participation and problem gambling prevalence data for the year to December 2022, as well as reporting on respondents’ perceptions of trust, crime, and attitudes towards gambling.
The data in this publication released today is based on the Gambling Commission’s quarterly telephone survey conducted by Yonder Consulting. A nationally representative sample of 4,001 adults aged 16 and over were interviewed via telephone in March, June, September and December 2022.
Key facts
Participation
- The overall participation in any gambling activity in the last four weeks (year to December 2022) is statistically stable at 44 percent compared to year to December 2021. Despite showing signs of recovery, participation rates haven't yet returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.
- In year to December 2022, a significant increase was seen for in person gambling. The past four week participation rate for 2022 was 28 percent, compared to 25 percent in year to December 2021, with males and those aged 25 to 34 years contributing towards this increase.
- Levels of online gambling participation for the past four weeks are statistically stable at 27 percent in year to December 2022 (compared to year to December 2021).
- In year to December 2022, past four week participation in National Lottery draws has significantly increased (compared to year to December 2021), as have National Lottery instant wins. The data also shows that participation rates appear to be bouncing back after the pandemic for activities such as fruit and slots machines, virtual gaming machines in bookmakers, dog races, virtual dog and horse races and casino games.
Problem and at risk gambling
- In the year to December 2022, the overall problem gambling rate is statistically stable at 0.2 percent, compared to year to December 2021. The low risk rate is also statistically stable at 1.7 percent. There has however been a significant increase in the moderate risk rate (1.3 percent in year to December 2022) compared to 0.8 percent in year to December 2021.
Perceptions
Perceptions of gambling are generally stable, shown by:
- In year to December 2022, the proportion who agreed with the statement that gambling in this country is conducted fairly and can be trusted is 30 percent, statistically stable compared to year to December 2021 (also 30 percent). The level of agreement has remained statistically stable for both gamblers and non-gamblers. It can however be seen that gamblers are more likely to agree with the statement than non-gamblers.
- In year to December 2022, the proportion who agreed with the statement that gambling in this country is associated with criminal activity is 41 percent, statistically stable compared to year to December 2021 (42 percent). The level of agreement has remained statistically stable for both gamblers and non-gamblers.
- The percentage of respondents agreeing that ‘there are too many opportunities for gambling these days’ has significantly decreased from 82 percent to 79 percent between year to December 2021 and Year to December 2022. All other perceptions measures have remained statistically stable.
Notes
This publication is primarily for anyone who has an involvement or interest in the gambling industry including government, licensed operators, trade bodies, international regulators, journalists, academic researchers, financial institutions, statisticians, consumers and local authorities.
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