UK Gambling Commission Publishes Third GSGB Annual Report with Three Years of Comparable Data

The Gambling Commission released its third annual report from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain in July 2026, and this edition compiles official statistics spanning 2023 through 2025 based on responses from more than 20,000 adults each year. Researchers compiled figures on participation rates, behavioural patterns, public attitudes, and experiences of harm, while the publication marks the first time the survey has produced directly comparable trend data across multiple years.

Survey Methodology and Scope

Observers note that the Gambling Survey for Great Britain draws on a large-scale sample to capture population-level insights, and the consistent methodology applied across the three-year period allows analysts to track changes without the distortions that often arise from shifting question formats or sampling frames. Data collection covered adults across England, Scotland, and Wales, while the resulting dataset provides breakdowns by demographic groups, gambling activities, and risk categories measured through the Problem Gambling Severity Index.

Key Findings on Risk Levels

Figures reveal that the problem gambling rate, defined as a PGSI score of 8 or higher, held steady at 2.4 percent across the three years, and moderate-risk gambling remained at 3.5 percent while low-risk gambling stood at 7.8 percent. Those who have examined the longitudinal data observe that these rates showed no statistically significant movement between 2023 and 2025, which supplies a clear baseline for future comparisons even as participation patterns evolve in specific sectors such as online slots or sports betting.

New Insights into Motivations

The report supplies fresh detail on why adults choose to gamble, and responses indicate that entertainment, social interaction, and the chance of winning money continue to rank among the most frequently cited reasons. Analysts point out that the survey also captures attitudes toward gambling regulation and harm-minimisation measures, which together create a broader picture than participation statistics alone can provide. Because the same questions were fielded consistently, researchers can now examine whether shifts in public sentiment accompany any changes in behaviour over time.

Importance of Trend Data

Experts emphasise that three years of comparable statistics represent a step change for evidence-based policy work, and the stability observed in the headline risk figures offers a reference point against which the effects of future interventions can be measured. The Gambling Survey for Great Britain Annual Report 2025 therefore functions as both a snapshot and a foundation for ongoing monitoring, while the Commission has signalled that subsequent waves will maintain the same core questions to preserve trend continuity.

Participation Patterns Across Activities

Statistics show that overall gambling participation remained broadly consistent, yet certain activities displayed modest year-on-year variation that the survey can now place in context. People who engage with multiple forms of gambling appear more likely to register higher PGSI scores, and the dataset allows researchers to explore these correlations while controlling for age, income, and other demographic variables. The three-year window also highlights that attitudes toward gambling harms have not shifted dramatically, which suggests that awareness campaigns and treatment availability may require sustained effort rather than one-off initiatives.

Conclusion

The release of the third annual GSGB report supplies policymakers, treatment providers, and industry stakeholders with the first multi-year benchmark for gambling behaviours and harms in Great Britain. Stable risk rates alongside new motivational insights create a platform for targeted research, and the commitment to consistent data collection positions the survey as a central resource for tracking developments through 2026 and beyond.