The UKGC released data that will go into its first gambling survey-based annual report to be published July 25. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Survey data released  

The United Kingdom’s gambling regulator used the release of fresh data from its Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) to announce a July 25 date for the publishing of its first annual GSGB survey amid industry optimism over the new Labour government.  

part two of data that will inform the GSGB’s first annual report

On Wednesday, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)’s Head of Statistics Helen Bryce posted an introduction and summary of part two of data that will inform the GSGB’s first annual report.   

Data for the concluding part of the upcoming report came from a NatCen-conducted survey that ran across the UK from November to February, canvassing 5,003 participants aged 18 or above.

Bryce wrote on the UKGC’s website that the new data shows most people gamble “for fun or for the chance to win money.”

Lottery remains king

Essentially, key outtakes from part two of the data show no change in betting patterns from part one, which interviewed 4,801 participants from July to November 2023.

Lotteries remain king in the UK, with 21% of respondents taking part in National Lottery draws, and 15% in charity lottery draws. The country’s next favorite gambling activity was scratchcards at 13%.

large proportion of online gamblers that only gamble on lottery draws”

While online gambling participation was at 36%, removing lottery draw-only players brought the online total to just 14%, with the UKGC highlighting “the large proportion of online gamblers that only gamble on lottery draws.”

Along with part two came data that was harvested over 12 months asking people how they rated their last gambling experience. The regulatory body reported 41% said their experience was positive, 22% expressed negative feelings, while 37% neither loved nor hated their last gambling encounter.

While this year’s GSGB annual report will contain data from two-part surveys, future annual reports will be comprised of four-part data surveys. Bryce stated that adding the two extra data streams will allow the regulator to “go into more detail about how responses vary across different population sub groups.”

Positive signs

Of all the data to pick out, Bryce’s decision to highlight both gambling and fun in the same sentence underlines what might be a positive wind of change for the UK industry following the landslide win of Keir Starmer’s Labour over Rishi Sunak’s Tories.

In a move welcomed by Michael Dugher, Chairman of UK gambling industry body the Betting and Gaming Council, new Prime Minister Starmer recently appointed Lisa Nandy First Secretary for Culture, Media, and Sport. Nandy’s role is pivotal in establishing and legalizing new rules for the UK gambling industry.

In what could bode well for the UK gambling industry, Dugher stated that Nandy is “a powerful advocate for working people and their culture.” The BGC chair said Nandy’s ethos was vital for the “110,000 people whose jobs depend on regulated betting—from bingo to casinos, high street retail to big tech and online.”