Gambling Statistics: Who Gambles More in the UK

UK Gambling Styles and Trends

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Gambling in London & The South East of England

·     London hosts some of the UK's most iconic casinos, including the glamorous Ritz Club and The Hippodrome, as well as cutting-edge online platforms. Londoners are often viewed as high-rollers, drawn to larger stakes and luxury experiences.

·    According to a 2023 UK Gambling Commission report, the average session spend for a London gambler is £112, almost double the national average. This reflects not just disposable income, but also the exclusivity of the capital's gambling scene.

·     Online, Londoners value variety and convenience. With busy urban lives, many turn to mobile apps and websites to enjoy slots, live dealer games, and sports betting on the go.

Gambling in The North of England

·     In contrast, gambling in the North is more communal and steeped in tradition. Visit a betting shop on Market Street in Manchester on any Saturday, and you'll find locals sharing tips and banter about football accumulators. According to the same Gambling Commission report, 64% of adults in Northern England gambled at least once a month, higher than London's 53%. The average spend is lower (about £57 per session), but participation rates are higher, highlighting a preference for frequent, low-stakes play.

·     Online casinos are just as popular in the North, with bingo and slots leading preferences, reflecting the region's taste for affordable, social games.

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Gambling in the UK

The UK gambling market is one of the most dynamic in Europe, with a gross gambling yield (GGY) that consistently ranks among the highest globally. For the period from April 2024 to March 2025, the UK gambling market was valued at £16.8 billion, with online operations accounting for 46% of the entire market share, showing how the online sector has become a dominant force in gambling, and the Remote Casino, Betting, and Bingo (RCBB) sector yielding £7.8 billion, with mobile devices generating most online gambling revenue; legalized gambling also delivers substantial taxation revenues for governments. In 2023, the gross gaming revenue (GGR) of the British gambling industry totaled 18.7 billion U.S. dollars, making it one of the leading gambling markets in Europe, with online casino games generating the largest share of this revenue. Notably, the number of active online gambling customer accounts in Great Britain increased from 16.53 million in 2012/13 to 36.43 million in 2022/23, indicating significant growth in online gambling participation over the same period.

Looking ahead, as part of the global gambling industry's rapid digital transformation, analysis and research suggest that the UK gambling market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% from 2025 to 2030, reaching a market size of USD 4.24 billion, while the global gambling market is projected to reach approximately US$531 billion by 2025 and global gambling revenue is projected to reach US$700 billion by 2028. The online gambling sector is expected to be a key driver of this growth, with digital services continuing to reshape how people access different forms. Industry insights are often derived from a statistical release, comprehensive gambling surveys, and detailed analysis of market trends, consumer behaviour, quarterly performance, and market reports, providing a clearer picture of the evolving landscape.

When it comes to gambling participation, recent research and official gambling surveys show that in the four weeks prior to January 2025, 48 percent of British adults reported participating in gambling activities. More broadly, lotteries remain widely used because of their low entry costs and government operation, and 48 percent of adults participated in them in early 2024. In 2025, 31.6% of UK adults reported playing the Lotto every month, making it the most popular form of gambling in the country, while online sports betting was the second most popular gambling activity, with 24% of adults participating. These insights highlight the diversity and scale of gambling activity across the UK population during the latest reporting period and help track engagement among users across different forms of gambling.

The sector's growth isn't just about convenience, it's also about variety. From classic casino favourites like blackjack and roulette to innovative online slots and live dealer experiences, the UK gambling market offers something for every taste. Sports betting remains a staple and is one of the fastest-growing forms of gambling worldwide, with football, horse racing, and in play betting drawing huge numbers of participants. As the industry continues to evolve, it's clear that online gambling and digital casino experiences are shaping the future of betting in the UK.