The UK Gambling Commission released the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) on Thursday, revealing that overall gambling participation has remained steady in recent years. However, the findings indicate a decline among young people aged 18 to 24.
The survey shows that the proportion of young people gambling has decreased from 54% in 2023 to 52% in 2024, and further down to 48% in the latest report. This suggests that fewer newcomers are taking up gambling at the legal minimum age of 18 in the UK. In contrast, the 35 to 44 age group remains the most active gamblers, with a high participation rate of 66%.
The Commission noted a slight downward trend in gambling participation across all demographics, observing a steady decline from 61% in 2023 to 59% in 2025.
In terms of awareness around gambling risks, Gamstop, the UK’s online gambling self-exclusion service, has found that more young individuals are recognizing the dangers associated with gambling. In February, Gamstop reported a significant year-on-year rise of 40% in registrations for self-exclusion among 16 to 24-year-olds, with a record high of 12,236 sign-ups in May just before the World Cup. Notably, under-25s accounted for about one-third of all self-exclusions, reflecting a 26% increase from the first half of 2025. “The fact that self-exclusion has again increased significantly year-on-year shows that users are continuing to find it an invaluable and flexible tool to manage their gambling, particularly younger consumers,” said Gamstop CEO Fiona Palmer.
Over the past five years, the number of young people opting for self-exclusion rose by 75%, acknowledging the effectiveness of campaigns by Ygam, a charity focused on preventing gambling-related harms among youth. Ygam collaborated with NUS Charity last year to launch the Silence the Stigma campaign aimed at helping students recognize gambling harm signs.
A recent survey found that nearly 58% of students who gamble are aware of available support, and 69% feel confident in seeking help. The charity noted that social media influences gambling behaviors, highlighting the need for more focus on these digital platforms. The UK has implemented regulations banning gambling advertisements aimed at young audiences on platforms like YouTube.
Ygam CEO Emily Tofield emphasized the need to address gambling harms with the same urgency given to other risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug use.
The Annual Student Gambling Survey, conducted by Gamstop and Ygam, reported that 65% of university students gambled over the past year, a decrease from 78% in 2022 but higher than the figure from 2025. This survey also indicated that gambling expenditure among students is rising, with average weekly spending increasing from £33.77 ($45) in 2022 to £50.33 ($68) this year.
Ygam suggested that many students are turning to gambling as a means to generate income amid rising inflation. The Commission's survey found that individuals who gamble primarily for profit often fall into higher rates of problem gambling and engage in gambling more frequently and across multiple products.
According to the GSGB, 2.4% of respondents met the criteria for problem gambling, a slight decrease from 2.7% the previous year. However, this figure has been criticized by some, such as the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which argues that the number is overstated due to the tendency of gamblers to respond to such surveys. The BGC references an NHS Health Survey that indicates only 0.7% of the population suffers from problem gambling. In response, the Commission clarified that the GSGB and NHS surveys employ different methodologies and should not be viewed as directly comparable. The Commission encourages policymakers to take a comprehensive view of gambling behavior and related harm by considering the GSGB alongside other evidence, including operator and treatment data.
