Key findings

There are notable differences in the profiles of people by frequency of gambling and gambling activity. People who gamble weekly but only on lottery draws tend to be older, married, owner-occupiers. People who gamble weekly on any activity, including lottery draws, are more likely to live in more deprived areas, have fewer qualifications and live in housing association accommodation.

There is a strong association between the frequency of specific activities, the type of activity, and Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores. PGSI scores measure behavioural symptoms of gambling disorder and certain adverse consequences from gambling. People who gamble weekly on any activity have higher PGSI scores than those who gamble weekly but on lottery draws only. However, people who gamble more frequently, weekly or more often, have higher PGSI scores than those who gamble less frequently.

When looking at weekly participation in gambling activities in turn, there is evidence that weekly participation in fruits and slots in person, in-play betting, but also betting on non-sports events online and other non-National Lottery scratch cards are all associated with higher PGSI scores.

Sports betting on a weekly basis, once in-play betting was excluded, was not significantly related to PGSI scores. However, there was a strong association between weekly in-play betting (either online or in-person) and higher PGSI scores, suggesting the rapid rewards and continuous play connected with this activity is associated to higher PGSI scores.