- Gambling frequency and harm increased in Great Britain from 2021 to 2024, with daily gambling rising from 1.1% to 1.7%.
- Treated gambling disorder rose from 0.9% to 1.6%, equivalent to about 366,000 additional adults with gambling disorder in 2024 versus 2021.
- Weekly gambling was highest among those exceeding drinking guidelines and cannabis users; younger adults gambled less but reported more harm from others' gambling.
Addict Behav. 2026 Jun 26;182:108788. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108788. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Recent events, including increases in cost-of-living, may have influenced gambling behaviour and harm in Great Britain. This study aimed to describe trends in gambling frequency, harm from gambling, self-identified gambling problems, and treatment among British adults from 2021 to 2024. It also examined trends in weekly gambling and harm from gambling within priority sociodemographic groups.
METHODS: Data (pooled N = 50,872) came from the annual repeat cross-sectional online panel ASH Smokefree Great Britain Survey, weighted to reflect the British population. Time trends were assessed using multinomial and log-binomial regression, with survey year as predictor. Additional models assessed trends in subgroups (non-homeowner, socioeconomically disadvantaged, mental health treatment, smoking, vaping, cannabis use, exceeding drinking guidelines, age, gender, nation).
RESULTS: Approximately half of adults gambled in the past year. Daily gambling increased from 1.1% (95% CI: 1.0-1.3) in 2021 to 1.7% (1.5-1.9) in 2024; treated gambling disorder also increased, from 0.9% (0.6-1.2) in 2021 to 1.6% (1.3-2.0) in 2024. The highest prevalence of weekly gambling was among those exceeding drinking guidelines (in 2024: 28.7%; 16.7-30.9) and those using cannabis (in 2024: 28.4%; 25.7-31.2). Younger people gambled less frequently but experienced higher rates of harm from others’ gambling than older people.
CONCLUSIONS: There was an increase in gambling activity and related harm. In absolute terms and assuming figures are representative, approximately 366,000 more adults in Great Britain had a gambling disorder in 2024 than in 2021, though data for 2021 may be disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Monitoring these trends and investing in harm prevention and support strategies is crucial.
PMID:42391706 | DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108788
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