Latest UKGC survey finds one in four Brits gamble online

Online gambling has reached its highest ever rate in the UK with one in four people gambling online, a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) survey has uncovered. The regulator found that 25.7% of the 4,018 people surveyed who were over the age of 16 had placed a bet in the last four weeks. This is an increase from the 23.8% over the same period in 2021, and up even further from the 18.5% that was recorded in the previous five years. The UKGC survey asked respondents about gambling on four occasions between June 2021 and March 2022. The data also showed a slight drop in gambling in general to 43% in the previous four weeks when compared to the pre-pandemic level of 47% in March 2020. The data was analysed by the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT). UKAT found that the biggest increases in overall gambling came in the youngest group surveyed, 16-24-year-olds. This age group saw a 17% increase to 34.7% compared to 29.7% last year. Another age group that increased beyond pre-pandemic levels is the 55-64-year-olds, which rose from 48.7% to 49.8% in March 2022. This age group also saw the highest increase in online gambling. The survey found that the most popular form of gambling outside of the National Lottery and other lotteries was sports betting, with football being the most popular sport for bettors. Gambling participation rates for sports betting rose from 3.9% in the year to March 2021 to 4.5% last year. The charity’s analysis of the data found that the rate of those in the moderate risk of gambling harm category rose from 0.6% to 0.9% in the last year, which was described as a “worrying rise”. UKAT, which has eight treatment facilities across England, noted that the most significant rise was in the rate of females at moderate risk, which went from 0.4% in March 2021 to 0.9%. Nuno Albuquerque, consultant treatment lead at UKAT, said: “Today’s report shows us is that as gambling participation rates rise, so does the rate of those at moderate risk of gambling addiction. Clearly, for a lot of people, gambling isn’t a harmless hobby. We see the damage gambling does to people’s lives. “Online gambling, in particular, is dangerous as it is too easy and discreet to participate in. We join the chorus of voices who say that this country’s gambling laws are in urgent need of reform. Bigger conversations are necessary especially around affordability checks and a complete ban on gambling advertisements.”