The United Kingdom extends the Gambling Survey for Great Britain until 2029
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27 Nov 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes On 26 November 2025, the Gambling Commission announced the renewal of a framework contract for the continuation of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain until 2029.
A key tool maintained: why the GSGB is so important
Launched in 2024, the GSGB quickly became one of the largest ongoing surveys on gambling — an essential tool for tracking the habits of millions of British adults. From 2026 to 2029, under the combined responsibility of NatCen Social Research and the University of Glasgow, the GSGB will continue to collect data on participation rates, behaviours, risk profiles and, above all, the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).
This renewal does more than simply extend the study: it provides for methodological improvements, with the possibility of introducing longitudinal elements to observe changes in individual behaviours over time. This will enable the commission to identify long-term trends, track changes in gambling addiction, and identify changes related to the socio-economic environment.
What the GSGB already reveals
According to the latest edition of the GSGB (2024), conducted among more than 19,000 respondents, nearly 48% of adults reported having gambled in the past four weeks. Excluding lottery ticket purchases alone, this rate drops to 28%.
Over the year, 2.7% of adults reached a PGSI score of 8 or higher, classifying them as ‘problem gamblers’. This figure is stable compared to 2023.
The report provides a nuanced overview: gambling is primarily attractive because of the hope of a big win (85%), followed by the desire for entertainment (72%). But behind these legitimate motivations, certain behaviours can have serious consequences for mental health, finances or personal relationships.
For the commission’s management, this survey is a key element of the evidence base enabling the government, industry players and public health institutions to better understand the risks associated with gambling.
Data-driven regulation
By extending the GSGB until 2029, the regulator is emphasising its commitment to basing decisions on reliable, long-term data. According to the commission, the independence of the study must remain a cornerstone, ensuring that the results are not biased by commercial interests.
This data will inform several areas of action: public health, prevention of problem gambling, development of protective measures, and assessment of the impact of recent regulatory reforms — such as the introduction of a new mandatory levy on gambling operators to fund research and treatment for addiction.
More than just a renewal, the extension of the GSGB represents a commitment to transparency and accountability. At a time when online betting products are multiplying, platforms are constantly evolving and player behaviour can change rapidly, having a regular observatory is essential.