New Survey: 1.4 Million Britons May Have Gambling Problem

1.4 million Britons may have a gambling problem, according to a new survey. Operators and the government must act to protect those at risk.

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2025 October 30 . 10:01 AM

1 min read

In the picture there is a newspaper front page. There are many advertisements and headlines are... — In the picture there is a newspaper front page. There are many advertisements and headlines are mentioned in the newspaper.

New Survey: 1.4 Million Britons May Have Gambling Problem

A new survey by the Gambling Commission has revealed that 2.7% of adults in Great Britain may have a problem with gambling, affecting an estimated 1.4 million people. This figure, based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), shows a 'statistically stable' rate compared to last year's 2.5%.

Of those who gambled in the last year, 42% reported a positive experience, while 21% found it negative. The Gambling Commission's chief executive, Andrew Rhodes, who previously led the Advertising Standards Authority, encourages gambling operators to use these findings to assess and mitigate risks within their customer bases.

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has contributed £170 million since 2021 to research, education, and treatment programs to tackle problem gambling. They maintain that the 'vast majority' of people gamble safely. Other surveys, such as the NHS's Adult Psychiatric Morbidity (APM) survey in 2025, have consistently shown lower problem gambling rates, with figures below 1%.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, plans to raise gambling taxes in the upcoming budget on November 26. The Gambling Commission's latest findings highlight the need for continued vigilance and action to protect those at risk of problem gambling.