Gambling is no longer simply a form of entertainment for a significant proportion of the British population. A recent study suggests that the damage associated with this activity is much greater than previously thought.
A quarter of gamblers in the risk zone
Published on 12 December 2025, this study from ScienceDirect is based on the analysis of open banking data from more than 243,000 gamblers in the UK. The researchers tracked their transactions over a one-year period to identify patterns of spending linked to gambling.
One of the most striking results was that almost 25% of the gamblers analysed would have triggered the forthcoming mandatory financial controls that the government wants to introduce. These checks, due to come into force in February 2025, will apply to anyone who loses £150 or more in a 30-day period.
This relatively low threshold is intended to provide early warning of behaviour that could signal a loss of control or a shift towards potentially destructive gambling habits. The study shows that this quarter of gamblers is responsible for almost 92% of the total expenditure observed over the entire period studied – a concentration that says a lot about the invisible risks behind the overall figures.
But who are these gamblers? The study points to one clear trend: young men are disproportionately represented in this high-risk group. Some show habits that are still relatively balanced, while others display more worrying behaviour, characterised by sudden spending spikes, frequent losses or rapidly escalating bets.
A wider phenomenon than expected
Why is this study causing such a stir? Because it sheds light on a reality that is more nuanced than simple gambling participation statistics. It’s not just a question of counting who does or doesn’t gamble, but of understanding how and to what extent certain practices can become harmful.
Another independent British survey suggests that up to 2.5% of the adult population could be suffering from a serious gambling problem, or around 1.3 million people – a much higher figure than previous estimates based on traditional survey methods.
This convergence of analyses draws attention to the fact that traditional methods, such as telephone surveys or questionnaires, could underestimate the reality of the problem. The study based on banking data, on the other hand, captures financial clues that are often otherwise invisible, such as the accumulation of losses or the recurrence of transactions to betting platforms.
Hidden behaviour and profound impacts
The AskGamblers results confirm what many have suspected: a significant number of players play down or hide their betting habits when questioned directly. In some cases, almost half of gamblers agree that they hide their habits, and a third would rather continue to lose than admit that they need help.
This tendency to conceal is particularly worrying because it shows that risky behaviour is not always apparent at first sight. As long as gamblers themselves, those close to them or the authorities fail to recognise these signals, the damage can accumulate without intervention.
And the repercussions go far beyond mere financial losses: previous studies have linked problem gambling to effects on mental health, fractured family relationships and even thoughts of suicide or attempted suicide. This reinforces the idea that problem gambling is a public health issue, not just an individual vice.
Ultimately, the battle against gambling-related harm in the UK is as much a societal issue as it is an individual challenge. It highlights the complexity of reconciling freedom of entertainment, protection of the most vulnerable and the effectiveness of preventive measures.