Research estimates over five million people in Britain want to reduce or quit gambling

• Number of people seeking to reduce or quit gambling includes two million 18–34-year olds​¹
• Over 42,000 people have searched for support on GambleAware’s  Service Finder since its launch in July 2024, with over 13,000 referral clicks to support providers²
• Since April 2023, there have been over 87,000 completions of the Charity’s Self-Assessment tool² 

New analysis by the charity GambleAware has estimated that over five million people want to reduce or quit gambling – with three quarters of these (3.9 million) wanting to do this despite not experiencing ‘problem gambling.’¹ 

The data is taken from GambleAware’s annual Treatment & Support survey, conducted by YouGov, and highlights that 3 in 10 young adults (aged 18-34) who gamble are keen to reduce or quit their gambling.¹ 

These numbers highlight a significant number of people are open to seeking avenues to reduce their gambling and the critical role that early intervention and support tools can play to support people. GambleAware’s national prevention programme tools have helped thousands since they launched, showcasing the criticality of prevention services and need for gambling harms to be seen as a public health issue. 

The charity’s service finder, which was launched in July last year, allows people to search for organisations within their local area for support, with the Network of providers offering a variety of services including one-to-one support, residential treatment, and post-treatment aftercare.  

Over 42,000 people have searched for support on the   service finder since its launch, with over 13,000 referral clicks to support providers – including those within the National Gambling Support Network2. The Network, made up of 13 providers, was launched in April 2023 and offers services that focus on prevention, treatment, and post care recovery. 

The GambleAware website also has additional tools that continue to offer support to those looking to reduce their gambling.  

The Charity’s Self-Assessment tool is available to those concerned about their gambling, or the gambling of others. Since its launch in April 2023, there have been over 87,000 completions of the assessment, which provides tailored advice and content and access to free and confidential support.²  

Those requiring a better understanding of their gambling also have access to the GambleAware Spend Calculator, which gives insight into the amount of time and money those using the service spend gambling, alongside recommendations based on the Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines (LRGGs) to reduce the risk of harm.³ 

Since the launch of the anonymous service in December 2023, there have been almost 6,000 completions of the Calculator2. 

The LRGGs are three limits that should be followed if an individual wants to keep gambling, but reduce many of the risks that come with it:  

• Gamble no more than 1% of your income 
• Gamble on no more than 4 days per month 
• Avoid more than 2 types of gambling per month  

The new statutory gambling harms system is now in place and GambleAware is working with the new commissioners to ensure a smooth transition through to completion in April 2026. 

Chief Executive for GambleAware, Anna Hargrave, said: “Five million people want to reduce or quit their gambling, which highlights just how much our tools and services are needed, as well as those that sit within the National Gambling Support Network. However gambling is making you feel, there is help available. 

“Wherever you are in your journey, I want to take this opportunity to remind people that help and support continues to be available for people in need now and within the new statutory gambling harms system. For free advice, tools and support, visit gambleaware.org.” 

If you are worried about your gambling or someone else’s, you can reach out to the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133. It is available 24/7 and offers free, confidential advice, tools, and support.     

ENDS 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

1. Analysis conducted by GambleAware and based on data collected through the Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey 2024, a survey of around 18,000 adults aged 18+ in Great Britain. Population estimates created by grossing up survey figures against Mid-2024 ONS population figures. 

1. Among the total population there are 53.5 million adults aged 18+ in GB (ONS figures) x 60.8% who have gambled in the last year (Treatment and Support Survey figures) = 32.5 million. 16.1% of them want to reduce or quit their gambling (Treatment and Support Survey figures) = 5.3 million. Among this group, 73.8% have a PGSI of lower than 8 = 3.9 million 
2. Among the number who want to reduce or quit (5.3 million), 43.7% are aged 18-34 = 2.3 million. 

2. Data from GambleAware’s website google analytics and includes figures up until1 October 2025, not publicly accessible beyond this press release. 

3. More information about the Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines (LRGG) can be found here. The guidelines and associated materials were created over a rigorous four-year period of research by leading experts in the field of gambling. The researchers conducted more than 260 risk curve analyses involving over 60,000 people from eight countries who gamble, conducted a bespoke online survey among over 10,000 respondents, focus groups with more than 50 people, two comprehensive literature reviews and collaborated with a group of some of the top gambling researchers in the world. An overview of the research can be found here. 

About GambleAware  

GambleAware is the leading independent charity (Charity No. England & Wales 1093910, Scotland SC049433) and strategic commissioner of gambling harm education, prevention, and treatment across Great Britain to keep people safe from gambling harms.  

GambleAware commissions the National Gambling Support Network (NSGN) which provides, free confidential treatment, as well as the National Gambling Helpline which takes over 55,000 calls a year.  

The introduction of a statutory levy and the appointment of three new commissioners for gambling harms research, prevention and treatment means that the work historically delivered by GambleAware will now transition to the UK government and new commissioners across England, Scotland, and Wales.  

GambleAware remains committed to fulfilling existing commissioning agreements until the new system is in place by April 2026. Our main priority continues to be keeping people safe from gambling harm and to ensure stability and continuity for our beneficiaries as the new commissioners take over. The GambleAware website and critical prevention resources continue to provide accessible support for all.