The Gambling Commission’s recent publication of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) offers valuable insights into the gambling behaviors and preferences of the population. Conducted by NatCen over a five-month period from July to November 2023, the survey involved 4,801 respondents.
Prevalence of Gambling:
Out of the respondents surveyed, a significant portion, constituting 48%, acknowledged engaging in gambling activities within the four weeks leading up to the survey. This statistic underscores the widespread nature of gambling in Great Britain.
Modes of Participation:
The survey delineates between online and in-person gambling activities. Notably, 38% of respondents reported gambling online, while 29% engaged in gambling activities at physical retail locations, such as casinos or lottery kiosks.
Impact of Lottery Participation:
National Lottery participation emerged as a prevalent form of gambling, with 31% of respondents indicating the purchase of lottery tickets. Intriguingly, a subset of respondents, comprising 21%, exclusively participated in lottery draws
Demographic Insights:
The survey highlights demographic variations in gambling preferences. Initially, men aged 45-54 appeared as the most prominent demographic for gambling. However, upon excluding lottery participation, men aged 18-44 emerged as the primary demographic. This shift underscores the differential impact of lottery participation on demographic gambling patterns.
Effect on Online and Retail Gambling:
When lottery participation is factored in, online gambling appears significantly more prevalent, with 38% of respondents indicating participation. However, upon excluding lottery participants, this figure decreases substantially to 16%. Similarly, retail gambling statistics show a decline from 29% to 18% when lottery players are excluded.
Popular Gambling Activities:
Lottery draws emerged as the most popular form of gambling, attracting 37% of respondents. Other notable activities included scratchcards (13%), sports and events betting (10%), and instant win games (7%).
Preferred Sports for Betting:
The survey provides insights into the preferred sports for betting among respondents. Live football emerged as the most popular sport for betting, followed by live dog and horseracing.
Attitudes Toward Gambling:
Attitudes toward gambling varied among respondents. A significant portion, constituting 37%, expressed a neutral stance, rating their feelings about gambling as 5 out of 10. Interestingly, both extreme ends of the spectrum, represented by ratings of 0/10 (indicating dislike) and 10/10 (indicating fondness), each garnered 4% of the votes.
Additional Insights from the Gambling Commission:
In addition to the Gambling Survey, the Gambling Commission released statistics on bets, games, and other pertinent aspects of the gambling landscape. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of gambling behaviors and preferences in Great Britain.
The Gambling Survey for Great Britain offers valuable insights into the prevalence, modes of participation, popular activities, and attitudes toward gambling. By examining the data through various lenses, including demographic variations and the influence of lottery participation, stakeholders can gain a nuanced understanding of gambling trends. Moving forward, these insights can inform policy decisions, interventions, and initiatives aimed at promoting responsible gambling practices and mitigating potential harms associated with excessive gambling behavior.