Overview

• The Gambling Survey for Great Britain finds 2.7% of adults scoring 8+ on the PGSI in 2024, statistically stable from 2.5% in 2023, equating to about 1.4 million people.
• Almost half of adults gambled in the last four weeks, falling to 28% when lottery-only play is excluded, with big-win hopes the most cited reason.
• The report flags higher risk in deprived communities and on products such as slot machines and in‑play sports betting, with frequent gamblers facing greater harm.
• Industry groups dispute the prevalence rate as a methodological outlier versus NHS surveys reporting 0.4% and highlight £170m in voluntary funding for research, education and treatment.
• The release lands as ministers consider tighter rules and higher duties, with the chancellor hinting at tax rises, Gordon Brown urging up to £3bn more, and recent measures including light-touch affordability checks, slower online games, stricter age verification, limits on marketing offers, a slots stake limit and a £100m statutory levy.