Survey Shows Problem Gambling Rates in Britain Climb to 3.8%

The research, coordinated by YouGov, found that nearly one in three adults who gamble and experience risk of problems want treatment, support or advice. In 2020 only one in five people expressed these needs. The data also asserts that the proportion of adults experiencing gambling problems has risen from 2.4% in 2020 to 3.8% in 2024.

The survey reported that, throughout Great Britain, 4.3 million people are impacted by a family member or friend’s gambling. The number swelled from 6.5% in 2020 to 8.1% in 2024. Roughly two million children are believed to be living in households with an adult experiencing problem gambling.

GambleAware’s chief executive, Zoë Osmond said, “Gambling can be highly addictive, with devastating impacts on people’s lives, relationships and financial stability.

“While it is encouraging that more people have sought help, this rise may also point to a growing public health crisis.

“We are increasingly alarmed by how gambling is being normalised and how frequently people – especially young people – are exposed to gambling across Great Britain.”

Concerns are escalating that prize draws like Omaze and McDonald’s Monopoly are partially responsible for the surge in problem gambling.

At the moment, prize draws are not a licensed form of gambling and lack easy access to responsible gaming tools. GambleAware urges people to beware as they share potentially dangerous similarities with different types of gambling.

Approximately one in nine people indicated their issues were directly related to prize draws. The charity fears that they also normalise gambling for children and young people.

The public reacted agreeably to the idea of restricting advertising designs that could be popular with children. A social media ban had 90% support, while a ban on television and video games advertising had 91% support.

Gambling harms campaigners in the UK have continuously pressed for harsher advertising restrictions but the industry warns that these actions could amplify the ever growing black market.

Osmond fully endorses new regulations to battle the problems raised in the survey.

She said: “To reverse this troubling trend, urgent preventative action is needed. This must include tougher regulation of gambling advertising to stop gambling being portrayed as ‘harmless fun’.

“There should also be mandatory health warnings on all gambling ads, stricter controls on digital and social media marketing, and a full ban on gambling promotion in stadiums and sports venues to protect children and young people from harm.”

UK gamblers should be on the lookout for incoming changes and firmer rules.