An estimated 1.4 million adults in the UK are thought to have a gambling problem, as indicated by recent figures from the Gambling Commission. This data comes shortly after the Chancellor’s mention of potential tax increases on the £11.5 billion betting and gaming industry. The commission’s annual survey revealed that 2.7% of adults scored 8 or higher on the problem gambling severity index, a recognized tool for assessing the adverse effects of gambling activities.
In earlier years, the commission had advised against using this percentage to represent the entire population. However, following an analysis by a statistics expert, this recommendation has been retracted. The latest survey, which involved over 19,000 participants, allows for the estimation of 1.4 million adults facing gambling issues, exceeding the population of Birmingham.
The report revealed that problem gambling rates are notably higher in deprived areas and among certain gambling activities, including slot machines and in-play sports betting. On the same day the report was published, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, indicated possible increases in taxes for betting companies during the upcoming autumn budget. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also suggested a tax increase of up to £3 billion to fund social programs.
The updated estimate on gambling problems may influence the Treasury’s perspective on the potential economic contributions of the gambling industry, which generates substantial tax revenue and employment, despite criticisms regarding its negative economic impact.
The 2.7% figure replaces an earlier estimate of 0.4%, derived from a different polling method. The Betting & Gaming Council has opted to continue referencing the lower figure, attributing the discrepancy to methodology differences. Andrew Rhodes, the chief executive of the Gambling Commission, emphasized the importance of these findings in understanding gambling consequences and urged operators to consider customer risk factors accordingly.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/02/landmark-study-shows-14m-britons-have-a-gambling-problem