Problem Gambling Rate Stable but Regional And Gender Disparities Remain

Thalia Bladin
2026-04-28T08:47:31Z

The most recent NHS statistics into betting frequency state that problem betting rates in England remain stable, as authorities need a much better comprehended public health view of gambling damage effects throughout neighborhoods.

Data from the NHS Health Survey for [England](https://nam.ovh/KZSxr) 2024 (HSE 2024) put the variety of UK adults at danger of some kind of issue gambling at 5%, with under 1% classed as struggling with issue gaming.

As with most surveys into British betting preferences and betting associated harm, the research study - which only looks at England and not the other three nations of the UK - preserves the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) as the primary methodology to measure gambling harm rates.

The PGSI has been used as the main sign of [gambling](https://championsleage.review/wiki/User:MinervaStorey) damage since 2016 when it was adopted by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) as a replacement for DSM-IV, the design which had been used given that the 1990s.

Anyone with a PGSI rating of eight or more, based on their answers to survey questions, is thought about a problem gambler. Scores of in between one and 2 show low risk and between 3 and 7 suggest moderate danger.

Stable rates do not tell complete story

According to the 2024 survey, of the 5% of grownups with a score of several the number classified as experiencing problem gaming was 1% in 2024, recommending a rather stable rate with previous study quotes.

This does suggest an increase from some previous NHS studies. A 2021 study, for example, put the issue betting rate at 0.3% - a period in which Survey participation and was affected by COVID-19 changes.

However, it does reveal a substantial disparity with UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) data, also originated from the PGSI as discussed above. Stats from Year Two of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), released in October 2025, put the rate at 2.7%.

After issue bettors, HSE 2024 put the number of people across England at low-risk of gambling damage at 3%, while the number of individuals at moderate danger of [gambling harm](https://buyazon.in/index.php?route=journal3/blog/post&journal_blog_post_id=4) stands at 1%. Nationwide, the 5% figure has actually been equated to account for between 4.2% and 5.8% of the population.

Overall, as the summary of the NHS survey states, rates of issue gambling from low to severe stay relatively stable in England. However, this will not excuse the wagering sector from political analysis, with a number of policymakers vocally calling for [betting](https://www.inspireglobalsolutions.com/profile/urnherman08535) to be considered as a public health [concern](https://git.wangxinlei.cn/sadyechin1532) in 2025.

The study has born in mind of the reforms introduced by the [Gambling](https://classfollow.com/read-blog/71744_the-bet9ja-promotional-code-this-2026-is-yohaig.html) Act evaluation, with the White Paper released back in April 2023. It adds, though, that despite these reforms the UK hosts 'among the most available betting markets worldwide'.

"Opportunities to gamble exist on most high streets and, with access to the web, in practically every home," the study stated. "Concerns relating to the damages connected with gambling have actually been increasing in the UK in current years and gambling is considered as a public health concern."

Men are the outlier of threats

The NHS study also supplied some insights into the regional and market contrasts relating to gambling harm throughout [England](https://www.adpost4u.com/user/profile/4431372). Firstly, on a gender basis, males saw a higher PGSI score than females.

Overall, 7% of English guys scored several on the PGSI rating, and 1% were thought about problem gamblers. In comparison, only 3% of females scored several and the number of issue bettors was rounded down to 0% in datasets - though it is likely greater than this given margins of mistake.

Perhaps most considerable, nevertheless, are the regional disparities, with problem betting and general risk of [betting damage](https://winatlifeli.org/2018/09/08/materialism/) more most likely in northern England and in coastal areas, these likewise being locations most likely to see higher rates of social deprivation.

The Yorkshire and the Humber region of Northern England had the highest rate of individuals with a score of several at 7%, followed by the North East, South East and South West at 6%, London at 5%, the North West, East of England and West Midlands at 4%, and lastly the East Midlands at 3%.

This might prove significant in the context of both the calls for gambling to be considered as a public health issue and for more powers to be offered to local councils. Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent East, has actually been especially [singing](http://gpbudownictwo.pl/rustic-interior-ideas/) in requiring the latter, with a variety of MPs and councillors joining her push for the 'Aim to Permit' guideline around licensing to be ditched.

Concentrate on levy application

Meanwhile, supporters of the gaming as a public health argument, which received support from members of the Health and Social Care Select Committee last year, have actually often argued that methods to issue betting requirement to be contextualised to regional requirements.

While the NHS' latest datasets do show that issue betting rates remain total stable, and are much lower than issues like alcohol abuse, [tobacco](https://www.adpost4u.com/user/profile/4376580) and e-cigarette smoking cigarettes, and weight problems, concerns remain that will continue to sustain political and regulatory debate around this industry.

The NHS' role in gambling harm research study, education and treatment (RET) will only grow from here on out. The service is handling more gambling damage treatment duties by becoming the primary commissioner of jobs in this location as overseer of the RET levy, taking over from GambleAware.