Watchdog urges caution as millions of Brits gambling regularly

Gambling firms under fire as half of adults take part each month

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Almost half of adults (48 per cent) in Great Britain have gambled in the last four weeks, according to an annual survey by the industry regulator.

Some 2.7 per cent of adults scored “8+” on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) in 2024-up from 2.5 per cent the previous year - which is “statistically stable” compared to the year before, the Gambling Commission found.

The headline figure of those who gambled over the last month - which is the same as the previous year - falls to 28 per cent when those who had only bought tickets for a lottery draw were excluded.

Overall, some 42 per cent of adults who gambled in the past 12 months rated the last time they gambled positively, compared to 21 per cent who rated it negatively.

The chance of winning “big money” was the main reason why people gambled (85 per cent), followed by finding gambling to be fun (72 per cent).