Gambling Participation Rate Great Britain Remains Stable Amid Shifting Preferences
New figures indicate that the **gambling participation rate Great Britain** held steady in the year leading up to September 2023. Approximately 44% of adults engaged in some form of gambling during this period. This rate mirrors the 44% reported in the previous year, ending September 2022. The data, collected via a telephone survey, highlights consistent overall engagement despite noticeable shifts in preferred gambling activities.
The National Lottery remains the most popular gambling product, attracting 29% of the adult population. However, an interesting trend emerged within specific categories. The proportion of adults playing scratchcards saw a decline, dropping from 10% to 8%. Conversely, participation in other National Lottery draws, such as Lotto, EuroMillions, and Set For Life, stayed stable at 24%.
Online Engagement Sees Modest Rise
While traditional retail products like scratchcards experienced a dip, online gambling activities showed a slight increase. The proportion of individuals engaging in online gambling rose from 17% to 18%. This growth was notably driven by online slots, casino games, and bingo, which collectively saw participation climb from 4% to 5%. This indicates a slow but steady migration towards digital platforms for various forms of entertainment.
Other betting types largely maintained their participation rates. Horse racing and sports betting (excluding horse racing) both remained at 4%. Machines in betting shops, bingo halls, casinos, and arcades each held a stable 1% participation rate. Even private betting among friends or colleagues stayed at 1%. The only other decline observed was in football pools, which decreased from 0.7% to 0.4%. These figures underscore a broader pattern: the overall **gambling participation rate Great Britain** is stable, but the internal composition is evolving.
Frequency of Play and Problem Gambling Stability
The survey also explored the frequency of gambling among participants. Monthly gambling remained consistent, with 30% of gamblers engaging at this rate. Similarly, weekly participation stood firm at 24%, and fortnightly engagement at 6%. These consistent figures suggest that established gambling habits are largely undisturbed within the active player base.
Crucially, rates of problem gambling have also remained statistically stable. Data from the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) showed levels around 0.3%, indicating no significant change over the reporting period. This stability in problem gambling rates, alongside the consistent overall participation, provides a comprehensive picture of the current gambling landscape in Great Britain. The insights gathered are based on interviews with approximately 4,000 adults aged 16 and over across the country.
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