Online Gambling Participation in the UK Has Grown to 17%
UKGC published the results of a survey conducted among 5,191 respondents from September 2024 to January 2025. The iGN editorial team highlights the key findings:
Main Survey Data
- Overall gambling participation: 46% of the adult population
- Online gambling: 17% (+1%)
- Lotteries: 34% (-3%)
- Excluding lotteries: 28% (no change)
Online Gambling by Gender
- Men: 23%
- Women: 11%
Motivations of 18–24-Year-Old Players
- Fun: 87%
- Excitement: 75%
- Social aspect: 58%
- Earnings: 71%
Respondent Statistics
Out of 22,533 addresses issued, 3,591 questionnaires were completed, yielding a household response rate of 18%. Of these:
| Region | Addresses | Response Rate |
|---|---|---|
| England | 19,335 | 17% |
| Scotland | 2,080 | 18% |
| Wales | 1,118 | 18% |
| London | 2,882 | 13% (lowest) |
| South West | 2,030 | 21% (highest) |
Who Completed the Questionnaire
- Men: 44%
- Women: 56%
Young people aged 18 to 24 were the least active participants — 6% of respondents compared to their 11% share of the population.
Online vs Mail
- 67% completed the survey online
- 33% filled out a paper questionnaire
Survey Completion Time
| Category | Average Time | Median Time |
|---|---|---|
| All participants | 23 min | 17 min |
| Played in the last 4 weeks | 25 min | 19 min |
| Did not play | 21 min | 14 min |
Data Verification
Alongside the publication of the survey, the Office for Statistics Regulation launched an investigation into the UKGC over possible data inflation aimed at tightening regulations.