As per the UKGC 2024 report, approximately 48% of adults in the UK gamble, which amounts to around 25.75 million individuals.
About 37% of gamblers in the UK now prefer using online platforms for their gambling activities. Meanwhile, 29% continue to use offline methods like betting shops or land-based casinos.
This article takes a closer look at how people in the UK are gambling today, including how many are involved and who they are.
What Percentage Of People Gamble In The UK?
Around 48 percent of people in the United Kingdom gamble, which is approximately 25.75 million based on the recent data.
In terms of preference, 37% of people in the country choose to gamble online, while 29% prefer gambling offline.
Source: Gambling Commission
Demographics Of Gamblers In The United Kingdom
Let’s take a closer look at the detailed demographics of people in the UK who gamble by breaking down who is participating by age, gender, and preferences.
Gamblers In The UK by Gender
In the United Kingdom, about 63 percent of men have taken part in gambling.
Meanwhile, 58 percent of women in the country also gamble. While both numbers are fairly close, it shows that gambling is slightly more common among men than women.
Here is a table displaying the percentage of males and females who gamble in the United Kingdom:
| Gender | Gambling on Any Activity |
|---|---|
| Male | 63% |
| Female | 58% |
Source: Gambling Commission
What Is The Legal Age For Gambling In The UK?
The legal age for gambling in the United Kingdom is 18.
The Gambling Act 2005 established this law, which prohibits anyone under 18 from entering licensed gambling establishments. The purpose of this legislation is to protect children from developing gambling habits and addictions at a young age.
Source: Gambling Commission
Gamblers In The UK by Age
The highest share of adults aged 55 to 64 years gamble, accounting for 54% of the population of that age group.
Similarly, 53% of the adults in the UK aged 45 to 54 gamble, making them the group with the second largest share to gamble. However, there is a drop in the share of adults gambling among those aged 65 years.
On the other hand, the lowest gambling rate is among 18 to 24-year-olds, with only 38 percent participating.
This highlights that Gambling participation increases with age, peaking between 55 and 64, before it starts to decline.
Here is a table displaying the percentage of the population in the United Kingdom that gamble by age group:
| Age Group | Any Gambling Participation |
|---|---|
| 18 to 24 | 38% |
| 25 to 34 | 45% |
| 35 to 44 | 51% |
| 45 to 54 | 53% |
| 55 to 64 | 54% |
| 65 to 74 | 49% |
| 75 and over | 41% |
Source: Gambling Commission. (This data is as of the latest data recorded in 2023)
How Many People In The United Kingdom Gamble Online?
In Great Britain, 38% of the population has taken part in some form of online gambling.
Among those who gamble, 26% prefer playing the National Lottery draws, while 14% go for other types of lotteries.
Online instant-win games and sports betting are each favored by 8 percent of gamblers. Meanwhile, only 2 percent choose to gamble at casinos, making it the least popular option.
Here is a table displaying the share of the Great Britain population that gambles online by type:
| Online gambling Type | Share of Population |
|---|---|
| Any gambling online | 38% |
| National Lottery draws | 26% |
| Another lottery | 14% |
| Online instant-win games | 8% |
| Sports betting | 8% |
| Fruit and slot games | 3% |
| Bingo | 2% |
| Betting on other events | 2% |
| Casino games | 2% |
Source: Statista
A large share of people in the United Kingdom aged 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 gamble online, each accounting for 42%.
On the other hand, only 24 percent of those aged 18 to 24 gamble, making them the least likely age group to do so.
Here is a table displaying the percentage of the population in the United Kingdom that gamble online by age group
| Age Group | Share of population |
|---|---|
| 18 to 24 | 24% |
| 25 to 34 | 31% |
| 35 to 44 | 29% |
| 45 to 54 | 42% |
| 55 to 64 | 42% |
| 65 to 74 | 37% |
| 75 plus | 32% |
Source: Statista
What Is The Gambling Addiction Rate In The UK?
About 0.5 percent of people in the United Kingdom struggle with a gambling addiction.
Another 3.8 percent are at risk of becoming addicted. These individuals may not be fully addicted yet, but their gambling habits are starting to show signs of trouble.
On top of that, around 7 percent of the population is affected by someone else’s gambling addiction, whether it’s a family member, partner, or close friend. This highlights that the impact of gambling goes beyond just the person placing the bets; it can also hurt the people around them emotionally and financially.
Source: The Guardian, Finder
Conclusion: In the UK, around 25.75 million adults take part in gambling
Around 48% of UK adults, about 25.75 million people, take part in some type of gambling. Men are slightly more likely to gamble than women, and older adults tend to participate more often than younger ones. Online gambling is picking up speed, with the National Lottery still leading the way.
That said, not everyone gambles without consequences. Around 0.5% of people in the UK are struggling with gambling addiction, & another 3.8% are at risk of developing one.
These numbers show that while gambling is common, it’s not always harmless, & it’s worth paying attention to the risks.
FAQs
It’s roughly 48% of UK adults, which equals about 25.75 million individuals, who participate in gambling.
Online gambling holds a slight lead, with 37% of adults gambling online versus 29% who choose offline methods.
Online Sports Betting is the most favored, with 10% of adults choosing it.
About 0.5% of the population is addicted, and another 3.8% are at risk of developing a problem.
