The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released new data on the gambling industry in Great Britain. This data, collected from operators, spans the period from March 2020 to March 2025 and covers both online and in-person gambling, including Licensed Betting Operators (LBOs) found on Britain's high streets.
The latest report compares Q4 of financial year 2024-2025 (January to March) with Q4 of 2023-2024, providing insight into market changes and trends over the past year.
Online Gambling Growth in Q4 2024-2025
The online gambling market in Great Britain saw significant growth in Q4 2024-2025. The total Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) for online gambling reached £1.45 billion, marking a 7% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year.
During this period, the number of total bets and/or spins rose by 5% Year-on-Year (YoY), reaching 25.2 billion, and the average monthly active accounts increased by 2%, totaling 13.5 million.
Breaking down further, real event betting saw a 5% YoY increase in GGY, reaching £596 million. Despite a 1% decrease in the number of bets, the number of active accounts for real event betting fell by 2%.
In contrast, the slots sector performed strongly, with a 11% YoY increase in GGY, reaching £689 million. The number of spins grew by 6% to 23.4 billion, and the average number of active accounts in Q4 increased by 6%, totaling 4.5 million per month.
Notably, slots sessions lasting longer than one hour also saw a 5% increase, reaching 10.1 million sessions. The average session length remained steady at 17 minutes, with 6% of all sessions lasting over one hour, consistent with the same quarter the previous year.
LBO Market Experiences Decrease in Q4 2024-2025
In contrast to the growth seen in online gambling, LBO (Licensed Betting Operators) experienced a 3% decrease in GGY during Q4 2024-2025, totaling £554 million. This was down from the previous year, where GGY stood at £573 million. The total number of bets and spins at LBOs dropped by 5%, amounting to 3.1 billion.
The data points to shifting dynamics in the gambling sector, with online betting growing, while LBOs face a slight decline. These trends highlight the growing dominance of online gambling platforms in the market.
Research on Gambling-Related Harms
In addition to the quantitative data, the UKGC has also published findings from qualitative research focusing on gambling-related harms. This research, which involves 25 in-depth interviews with participants who had experienced severe gambling consequences, aims to provide a deeper understanding of the impact of gambling on individuals.
The study looks at the various external factors that may contribute to these harms and identifies strategies used by participants to mitigate the consequences of their gambling.
The study found that many participants’ gambling journeys were influenced by early exposure, often starting in childhood or adolescence, where they observed family members engaging in gambling. Financial issues were frequently the first negative consequences of gambling, often leading to further impacts on mental health and relationships.
Additionally, the research showed that participants used a variety of strategies to manage their gambling habits, including self-help tools, personal budgeting techniques, and support from friends and family. This data is part of ongoing efforts to improve the understanding of gambling harms and to better inform future policies and support services.
Source:
“Qualitative research on the consequences of gambling: follow-up interviews with participants from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain”, gamblingcommission.gov.uk, May 8, 2025.
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