UK Gambling Market Sees Five-Year Shift in Player Behavior

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released a new report covering five years of market data, from March 2020 to March 2025. The latest findings spotlight Q1 of 2025, showing how British gambling habits are evolving. The Online gambling continues to grow, while retail betting faces further decline.

Online Gambling Rises with Steady Growth Across Key Verticals

UK Online gambling saw total Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) reach £1.45 billion from January to March 2025. That’s a 7% year-on-year increase, reflecting stronger platform use and consistent player activity. Bets and spins grew by 5%, with 25.2 billion recorded in total.

User engagement also edged upward. Monthly active accounts averaged 13.5 million, a 2% rise from the previous year. These numbers suggest stability rather than rapid change, likely driven by better product access and improved retention efforts.

Slots Remain the Top Performer in the Online Casino Space

Slot games continue to be the most dominant product in the online sector. In Q1 2025, slots generated £689 million in GGY, marking an 11% increase. Total spins rose to 23.4 billion, while monthly active players hit 4.5 million—both up 6%.

The number of sessions lasting over an hour also rose by 5%, totaling 10.1 million. Despite that, the average session length stayed fixed at 17 minutes. These figures indicate extended gameplay is common, yet not increasing in intensity.

Real Event Betting Sees Revenue Rise, Engagement Dip

The real event betting posted £596 million in GGY, up 5% year-over-year. However, total bets dropped by 1%, and average account activity fell by 2%. This suggests fewer users are betting more or placing larger wagers per event.

Such shifts may be influenced by the betting calendar or a change in promotional offers. These patterns will need closer analysis in the next quarter to spot trends.

Retail Betting Continues to Decline Post-Pandemic

Retail outlets, including Licensed Betting Offices (LBOs), continue to face challenges. GGY from these venues fell by 3%, closing at £554 million for the quarter. Bets and spins from in-store activity dropped by 5%, down to 3.1 billion.

While retail betting has recovered from earlier pandemic lows, it still struggles to match its pre-2020 performance. Reduced foot traffic and shifting consumer habits are likely driving these results.

UK Gambling Market Outlook: A Measured Digital Transition

Several trends stand out from the UKGC’s updated data:

1. Online gambling continues to grow, led by slots and consistent user engagement.
2. Retail operators face contraction, suggesting long-term shifts in betting behavior.
3. Longer slot sessions and rising digital GGY could prompt new regulatory scrutiny.
4. Real event betting behavior is changing, with fewer users generating more spend.

Operators with both retail and online offerings may need to reallocate focus. For those without a digital presence, adaptation is essential. This evolving market landscape is likely to shape upcoming policies and business decisions.