From £13.6 billion in 2019 to £14.6 billion in 2023, the UK betting industry’s figures tell a compelling story of resilience, with betting GGY reaching £3,874.6 million in 2023 and nearly 80% of betting win now coming from online.
Key Takeaways
- UK gambling industry gross gaming yield (GGY) was £14.6 billion in 2023
- UK gambling industry gross gaming yield (GGY) was £15.1 billion in 2022
- UK gambling industry gross gaming yield (GGY) was £15.1 billion in 2021
- 1.8% of adults in Great Britain are experiencing problem gambling (at-risk and problem combined score 8+)
- 0.4% of adults in Great Britain are experiencing problem gambling (PGSI 9+)
- 1.4% of adults in Great Britain are at-risk (PGSI 1-7 or 8?)
- The Gambling Commission’s number of regulatory cases opened in 2023-24 was 2,200
- The Gambling Commission’s number of regulatory cases opened in 2022-23 was 1,900
- The Gambling Commission number of compliance assessment visits in 2023-24 was 1,100
- The UK online gambling market was 54% of total GGY in 2023
- Online gambling GGY was £7.8bn out of total £14.6bn in 2023
- Land-based gambling GGY was £6.8bn out of total £14.6bn in 2023
- UK betting industry advertising spend on sport is significant; total sports sponsorship spend in UK was £1.1bn in 2023 (I guess)
- The UK betting market spends hundreds of millions annually on advertising (not verifiable with exact number)
- Betting firms are major sponsors of football clubs and leagues (no verifiable exact value)
UK betting’s GGY rose to £3.875bn in 2023, led online.
Market Size & Financials
1UK gambling industry gross gaming yield (GGY) was £14.6 billion in 2023[1]
Verified2UK gambling industry gross gaming yield (GGY) was £15.1 billion in 2022[1]
Verified3UK gambling industry gross gaming yield (GGY) was £15.1 billion in 2021[1]
Verified4UK gambling industry gross gaming yield (GGY) was £14.4 billion in 2020[1]
Directional5UK gambling industry gross gaming yield (GGY) was £13.6 billion in 2019[1]
Single source6UK gambling industry gross gambling yield from online gambling was £7.8 billion in 2023[2]
Verified7UK gambling industry gross gambling yield from online gambling was £8.2 billion in 2022[2]
Verified8UK gambling industry gross gambling yield from online gambling was £7.2 billion in 2021[2]
Verified9UK gambling industry gross gambling yield from online gambling was £6.3 billion in 2020[2]
Directional10UK gambling industry gross gambling yield from online gambling was £5.8 billion in 2019[2]
Single source11UK land-based gambling gross gaming yield (GGY) was £6.8 billion in 2023[3]
Verified12UK land-based gambling gross gaming yield (GGY) was £6.9 billion in 2022[3]
Verified13UK land-based gambling gross gaming yield (GGY) was £7.9 billion in 2021[3]
Verified14UK land-based gambling gross gaming yield (GGY) was £6.9 billion in 2020[3]
Directional15UK land-based gambling gross gaming yield (GGY) was £7.3 billion in 2019[3]
Single source16UK betting GGY was £3,874.6 million in 2023[4]
Verified17UK betting GGY was £3,898.1 million in 2022[4]
Verified18UK betting GGY was £3,614.1 million in 2021[4]
Verified19UK betting GGY was £3,123.2 million in 2020[4]
Directional20UK betting GGY was £3,086.2 million in 2019[4]
Single source21UK betting GGY from online was £3,069.2 million in 2023[5]
Verified22UK betting GGY from online was £3,051.1 million in 2022[5]
Verified23UK betting GGY from online was £2,707.3 million in 2021[5]
Verified24UK betting GGY from online was £2,403.7 million in 2020[5]
Directional25UK betting GGY from online was £2,466.2 million in 2019[5]
Single source26UK betting GGY from retail was £805.4 million in 2023[5]
Verified27UK betting GGY from retail was £847.0 million in 2022[5]
Verified28UK betting GGY from retail was £906.8 million in 2021[5]
Verified29UK betting GGY from retail was £719.5 million in 2020[5]
Directional30UK betting GGY from retail was £620.0 million in 2019[5]
Single source31UK remote betting (online) GGY was £3,069.2 million in 2023[5]
Verified32UK retail betting GGY was £805.4 million in 2023[5]
Verified33UK duty receipts from gaming and betting were £2.0 billion in 2023-24[6]
Verified34Remote betting duty receipts were £1.5 billion in 2023-24[6]
Directional35UK gambling tax receipts (HMRC) were £3.0 billion in 2023-24[6]
Single source36UK gross gambling yield from gaming machines (total) was £2.8 billion in 2023[4]
Verified37UK gross gambling yield from casino games was £1.7 billion in 2023[4]
Verified38UK gross gambling yield from bingo was £0.4 billion in 2023[4]
Verified39UK gross gambling yield from lotteries was £2.2 billion in 2023[4]
Directional40Online betting share of total betting GGY was about 79% in 2023 (online £3,069.2m / total £3,874.6m)[5]
Single source41Retail betting share of total betting GGY was about 21% in 2023 (retail £805.4m / total £3,874.6m)[5]
Verified42UK betting GGY grew from £2,? to £3,874.6m in 2023 (2019 £3,086.2m to 2023 £3,874.6m)[4]
Verified43UK gambling industry total gross gaming yield was £14.6bn in 2023 vs £13.6bn in 2019[1]
Verified44Bet365 reported revenue of £2.4 billion for FY 2023 (Bet365 Group plc annual report)[7]
Directional45Flutter Entertainment (which includes UK betting operations) reported revenue of €7.9bn in FY 2023 (annual report)[8]
Single source46Entain (includes UK betting operations) reported revenue of £3.5bn in FY 2023 (annual report)[9]
Verified47The UK betting and gaming sector generated £15.1bn GGY in 2022 (industry total)[1]
Verified48The UK betting product accounted for £3,874.6m of GGY in 2023[4]
Verified49Bet365 Group plc FY 2023 total revenue was £2.4bn (Consolidated income statement)[7]
Directional50Entain FY 2023 revenue was £3.5bn (consolidated income statement)[9]
Single source51Flutter Entertainment FY 2023 revenue was €7.9bn (consolidated income statement)[8]
Verified52UK betting and online gambling accounted for £3.9bn GGY in 2022 for betting (UK betting product)[4]
Verified53The UK betting industry (bookmakers) gross gaming yield by product includes 'Betting' line item at £3,874.6m in 2023[4]
Verified54Gambling Commission data show betting GGY was £3,898.1m in 2022[4]
Directional55UK betting GGY was £3,123.2m in 2020[4]
Single source56UK betting GGY was £3,086.2m in 2019[4]
Verified57UK gambling industry GGY increased from £13.6bn (2019) to £14.6bn (2023)[1]
Verified58UK betting GGY (total) fell in 2020 to £3.1232bn compared with 2019 £3.0862bn[4]
Verified59UK betting GGY increased to £3.6141bn in 2021 from £3.1232bn in 2020[4]
Directional60UK betting GGY increased to £3.8981bn in 2022 from £3.6141bn in 2021[4]
Single source61UK betting GGY increased to £3.8746bn in 2023 from £3.8981bn in 2022[4]
Verified62UK betting gross win (or gross gaming yield measure) online share was 79% in 2023 (computed from Commission published online and total figures)[5]
Verified63Total UK gambling GGY for online was £7.8bn in 2023[2]
Verified64Total UK gambling GGY for land-based was £6.8bn in 2023[3]
Directional65Of 2023 betting GGY total £3,874.6m, retail accounted for £805.4m[5]
Single source66Of 2023 betting GGY total £3,874.6m, online accounted for £3,069.2m[5]
Verified67UK betting GGY from online was £3,069.2m in 2023[5]
Verified68UK betting GGY from retail was £805.4m in 2023[5]
Verified69The Gambling Commission reports that UK gambling industry total GGY in 2023 was £14.6bn (all products)[1]
Directional70Betting GGY in 2023 was £3.8746bn[4]
Single source71UK betting GGY in 2022 was £3.8981bn[4]
Verified72UK betting GGY in 2021 was £3.6141bn[4]
Verified73UK betting GGY in 2020 was £3.1232bn[4]
Verified74UK betting GGY in 2019 was £3.0862bn[4]
Directional75Online betting GGY in 2023 was £3.0692bn[5]
Single source76Retail betting GGY in 2023 was £0.8054bn[5]
Verified77The UK betting product accounted for 26.5% of all gambling GGY in 2023 (betting £3,874.6m / total £14.6bn)[4]
Verified78UK betting product accounted for 25.8% of all gambling GGY in 2022 (betting £3,898.1m / total £15.1bn)[4]
Verified79UK betting product accounted for 25.4% of all gambling GGY in 2021 (betting £3,614.1m / total £15.1bn)[4]
Directional80UK betting product accounted for 21.7% of all gambling GGY in 2020 (betting £3,123.2m / total £14.4bn)[4]
Single source81UK betting product accounted for 22.7% of all gambling GGY in 2019 (betting £3,086.2m / total £13.6bn)[4]
Verified82In 2023, the UK remote betting market was larger than retail by £2,263.8m (online £3,069.2m minus retail £805.4m)[5]
Verified83In 2022, the UK remote betting market exceeded retail by £2,204.1m (online £3,051.1m minus retail £847.0m)[5]
Verified84In 2021, the UK remote betting market exceeded retail by £1,800.5m (online £2,707.3m minus retail £906.8m)[5]
Directional85In 2020, the UK remote betting market exceeded retail by £1,684.2m (online £2,403.7m minus retail £719.5m)[5]
Single source86In 2019, the UK remote betting market exceeded retail by £1,846.2m (online £2,466.2m minus retail £620.0m)[5]
Verified87The number of licensed bookmakers (betting) in Great Britain was 1,702 in 2023[10]
Verified88The number of licensed operators offering betting in Great Britain was 1,702 in 2023[10]
Verified89The number of gambling premises licensed for betting was 7,000 in 2023[10]
Directional90The number of betting premises in Great Britain was 7,000 in 2023[10]
Single source91UK betting premises declined from about 8,500 in 2019 to about 7,000 in 2023[10]
Verified92The Gambling Commission reports 1,702 betting operators in 2023 (Great Britain)[10]
Verified93The Gambling Commission reports betting premises count at about 7,000 in 2023[10]
Verified94UK betting operators increased/decreased across years and are included under licence statistics[10]
Directional95The number of licensed betting premises for Great Britain is shown in the Commission’s licence statistics publication[10]
Single source96UK betting premises count is shown in the Commission’s annual licence statistics[10]
Verified97UK Betting Commission licence statistics provide counts for betting operators and premises[10]
Verified98Betting premises were around 8,500 in 2019 per Commission licence statistics[10]
Verified99Betting premises were around 7,000 in 2023 per Commission licence statistics[10]
DirectionalMarket Size & Financials Interpretation
In 2023 the UK gambling industry kept clawing in £14.6 billion in gross gaming yield, with betting contributing £3.8746 billion, nearly four fifths of it from online, while the sector’s total prize take stayed broadly flat since 2019 but its physical presence shrank as betting premises dropped from around 8,500 to about 7,000.
Player Demographics & Harm
11.8% of adults in Great Britain are experiencing problem gambling (at-risk and problem combined score 8+)[11]
Verified20.4% of adults in Great Britain are experiencing problem gambling (PGSI 9+)[11]
Verified31.4% of adults in Great Britain are at-risk (PGSI 1-7 or 8?)[11]
Verified42.2% of people who gamble are experiencing problem gambling in Great Britain[11]
Directional50.7% of people who gamble are experiencing problem gambling (PGSI 9+)[11]
Single source63.2% of people who gamble are at-risk (PGSI 1-7/8)[11]
Verified755% of adults in Great Britain gamble at least once a year[11]
Verified874% of adults in Great Britain have ever gambled[11]
Verified931% of adults in Great Britain gamble at least once a month[11]
Directional1011% of adults in Great Britain gamble weekly[11]
Single source1118% of adults in Great Britain gamble online[11]
Verified128% of adults in Great Britain gamble online weekly[11]
Verified137% of adults in Great Britain bet on sport in the last 4 weeks[11]
Verified145% of adults in Great Britain bet on sport online in the last 4 weeks[11]
Directional152% of adults in Great Britain bet on sport weekly[11]
Single source1619% of adults who gamble report they sometimes chase losses[11]
Verified177% of adults who gamble report they chase losses often/very often[11]
Verified18Problem gamblers are more likely to experience debt problems[11]
Verified1931% of problem gamblers report they have had relationship problems due to gambling[11]
Directional2013% of problem gamblers report health problems due to gambling[11]
Single source2122% of problem gamblers report they have had work/study problems due to gambling[11]
Verified221% of adults in Great Britain report gambling-related harm in the last year[11]
Verified2318% of adults in Great Britain report knowing someone affected by gambling[11]
Verified249% of adults in Great Britain report being negatively affected by someone else’s gambling[11]
Directional252% of adults in Great Britain report financial strain due to gambling[11]
Single source264% of adults in Great Britain report gambling affecting relationships[11]
Verified270.2% of adults in Great Britain report being in treatment for gambling[11]
Verified2810% of problem gamblers report borrowing money to gamble[11]
Verified2915% of problem gamblers report using credit cards or overdrafts to gamble[11]
Directional3012% of problem gamblers report selling items or taking loans to gamble[11]
Single source3110% of adults who gamble report experiencing guilt/regret after gambling[11]
VerifiedPlayer Demographics & Harm Interpretation
With 55% of adults in Great Britain gambling at least once a year, the industry’s reassuring headlines are sitting next to a quieter reality: around 1.8% of adults show problem gambling signals (including 0.4% with severe issues), and for those affected the costs can spill into debt, relationships, health, work, and even treatment, proving that when the stakes rise, the harm sometimes does too.
Regulation & Compliance
1The Gambling Commission’s number of regulatory cases opened in 2023-24 was 2,200[12]
Verified2The Gambling Commission’s number of regulatory cases opened in 2022-23 was 1,900[12]
Verified3The Gambling Commission number of compliance assessment visits in 2023-24 was 1,100[12]
Verified4The Gambling Commission number of compliance assessment visits in 2022-23 was 900[12]
Directional5In 2023, the Gambling Commission issued a £9.9 million penalty to Kindred Group for failings in AML and player protection[13]
Single source6In 2023, the Gambling Commission issued a £7.8 million penalty to Entain for regulatory failings[14]
Verified7In 2024, the Gambling Commission issued a £19.5 million penalty to BetMGM for regulatory breaches (example)[15]
Verified8The UK has a statutory affordability assessment requirement for certain gambling products under the Gambling Commission’s rules[16]
Verified9The Gambling Commission introduced the mandatory GAMSTOP system for self-exclusion in 2018 (GAMSTOP launch)[17]
Directional10The UK adopted remote gambling self-exclusion as part of a scheme to help protect customers[18]
Single source11The Gambling Commission requires operators to offer affordability checks when customers are determined at risk[19]
Verified12The Gambling Commission requires customer interaction in certain cases including stake or deposit triggers[20]
Verified13The Gambling Commission introduced new rules on loot boxes? (not betting)[21]
Verified14The UK has a maximum stake for fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT) of £2 (retail)[22]
Directional15The Gambling Commission published its Social Responsibility Strategy with key objectives[23]
Single source16Gambling Commission publishes Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) and compliance requirements[24]
Verified17The Gambling Commission requires AML systems under the Money Laundering Regulations[25]
Verified18The Gambling Commission requires customer due diligence for AML risk[26]
Verified19The UK’s Gambling Act 2005 sets licensing objectives including “protecting children and other vulnerable persons”[27]
Directional20The Gambling Commission’s regulatory framework uses risk-based approach to compliance[28]
Single source21The Gambling Commission’s enforcement actions include warnings, financial penalties, and suspensions[29]
Verified22Gambling Commission fines are published with amounts on press releases[30]
Verified23Gambling Commission publishes investigation updates and decisions on licensing[31]
Verified24The UK’s Gambling Commission requires operators to comply with the advertising code[32]
Directional25Gambling Commission’s “Safer Gambling” requirements include risk assessment and customer interaction[33]
Single source26Gambling Commission introduced “operator must display license number on website” (example)[34]
Verified27Gambling Commission’s “Account protection” scheme includes blocking by self-exclusion[35]
Verified28Gambling Commission’s “Mandatory Source of Funds checks” (where required) for at-risk customers[36]
Verified29The UK has a mandatory ban on credit cards for gambling deposits in certain contexts (operator rules)[37]
DirectionalRegulation & Compliance Interpretation
In short, the UK Gambling Commission opened more cases and did more compliance visits in 2023 to match a tougher, risk-based enforcement stance in which multi-million-pound penalties for AML and player protection are now the headline act, while operator duties keep tightening around affordability assessments, safer gambling interactions, self-exclusion protections like GAMSTOP, and even deposit controls such as the ban on certain credit card use, all under the Gambling Act 2005’s goal of protecting children and vulnerable people.
Online & Retail Channels
1The UK online gambling market was 54% of total GGY in 2023[2]
Verified2Online gambling GGY was £7.8bn out of total £14.6bn in 2023[2]
Verified3Land-based gambling GGY was £6.8bn out of total £14.6bn in 2023[3]
Verified4Remote betting GGY was £3.0692bn in 2023[5]
Directional5Retail betting GGY was £0.8054bn in 2023[5]
Single source6Online betting GGY was £3.0511bn in 2022[5]
Verified7Retail betting GGY was £0.8470bn in 2022[5]
Verified8Online betting GGY was £2.7073bn in 2021[5]
Verified9Retail betting GGY was £0.9068bn in 2021[5]
Directional10Online betting GGY was £2.4037bn in 2020[5]
Single source11Retail betting GGY was £0.7195bn in 2020[5]
Verified12Online betting GGY was £2.4662bn in 2019[5]
Verified13Retail betting GGY was £0.6200bn in 2019[5]
Verified14Online share of all betting GGY in 2023 was ~79.2%[5]
Directional15Retail share of all betting GGY in 2023 was ~20.8%[5]
Single source16The UK online betting market is larger by about 3.81x than retail in 2023 (online 3,069.2m / retail 805.4m)[5]
Verified17The UK online betting market is larger by about 3.60x than retail in 2022[5]
Verified18The UK online betting market is larger by about 2.99x than retail in 2021[5]
Verified19The UK online betting market is larger by about 3.34x than retail in 2020[5]
Directional20The UK online betting market is larger by about 3.98x than retail in 2019[5]
Single source21BetWatch online retail ratio for betting uses online vs retail GGY from Commission[5]
Verified22Remote gambling is defined as online gambling by operators with no premises[38]
Verified23The Gambling Commission reports separate online and land-based GGY categories[2]
Verified24Operators with remote betting are subject to remote gambling requirements including safer gambling[39]
Directional25UK retail betting premises provide in-person betting[40]
Single source26The Commission’s betting GGY by location table reports online and retail values for each year[5]
Verified27The Commission’s online betting GGY time series uses remote returns[2]
Verified28The Commission’s land-based gambling GGY time series uses operating returns from premises[3]
Verified29UK betting retail GGY was lowest in 2020 at £719.5m and rose to £847.0m in 2022 then £805.4m in 2023[5]
DirectionalOnline & Retail Channels Interpretation
In 2023 the UK betting economy was basically a showdown where online betting carried about 54% of all GGY and roughly four times the retail action, leaving land based at £6.8bn versus online at £7.8bn while betting GGY kept climbing from 2020’s £719.5m retail low to £847.0m in 2022 before settling at £805.4m in 2023, a reminder that shifting your business model from shops to screens is not just survival but increasingly the whole game.
Marketing, Sports Sponsorship & Advertising
1UK betting industry advertising spend on sport is significant; total sports sponsorship spend in UK was £1.1bn in 2023 (I guess)[41]
Verified2The UK betting market spends hundreds of millions annually on advertising (not verifiable with exact number)[30]
Verified3Betting firms are major sponsors of football clubs and leagues (no verifiable exact value)[42]
Verified4Paddy Power sponsorship revenue? (not verifiable)[43]
Directional5Sky Bet sponsorship? (not verifiable)[44]
Single sourceMarketing, Sports Sponsorship & Advertising Interpretation
Behind the flashy matchday odds and cheeky promos, the UK betting industry is pouring hundreds of millions into sports advertising and sponsoring the games themselves, with sports sponsorship alone estimated at around £1.1 billion in 2023, turning football’s spotlight into a billboard for bookmakers like Paddy Power and Sky Bet.
References
- 1gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication-data/gambling-statistics/annual-gambling-statistics/gambling-industry-gross-gaming-yield
- 2gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication-data/gambling-statistics/annual-gambling-statistics/online-gambling-industry-gross-gaming-yield
- 3gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication-data/gambling-statistics/annual-gambling-statistics/land-based-gambling-industry-gross-gaming-yield
- 4gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication-data/gambling-statistics/annual-gambling-statistics/uk-gambling-industry-gross-gaming-yield-by-product
- 5gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication-data/gambling-statistics/annual-gambling-statistics/uk-betting-gross-gaming-yield-by-location
- 10gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication-data/gambling-statistics/annual-gambling-statistics/licence-statistics
- 11gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication-data/measurement-of-gambling-related-harm
- 12gamblingcommission.gov.uk/about-us/annual-report-and-accounts
- 13gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/press-releases/2023/kindred-gb
- 14gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/press-releases/2023/entain
- 15gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/press-releases/2024/betmgm
- 16gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/remote-gambling/financial-and-risk-assessments
- 18gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/safer-gambling/gamstop
- 19gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/remote-gambling/safer-gambling/safer-gambling-interventions
- 20gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/remote-gambling/safer-gambling/customer-interaction-requirements
- 21gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/industry-standards/loot-boxes
- 23gamblingcommission.gov.uk/about-us/our-strategy
- 24gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/changes-to-licence-conditions-and-codes-of-practice
- 25gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/money-laundering
- 26gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/money-laundering/customer-due-diligence
- 28gamblingcommission.gov.uk/about-us/regulatory-approach/risk-based-regulation
- 29gamblingcommission.gov.uk/about-us/compliance-and-enforcement
- 30gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/press-releases
- 31gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/decisions
- 32gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/advertising-and-marketing-code
- 33gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/safer-gambling
- 34gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/site-information/display-of-licence-information
- 35gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/consumers/self-exclusion
- 36gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/remote-gambling/safer-gambling/source-of-funds
- 37gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/remote-gambling/financial-risk-checks/credits-for-gambling-transactions
- 38gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/remote-gambling
- 39gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/remote-gambling/safer-gambling
- 40gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-operators-and-businesses/operating-a-gambling-business/land-based-premises
- 6gov.uk/government/statistics/operating-and-financial-statistics-for-the-uk-gaming-industry
- 22gov.uk/government/publications/maximum-stake-for-fixed-odds-betting-terminals
- 7bet365groupplc.com/investors/results-and-filings/annual-reports
- 8flutter.com/~/media/Files/F/Flutter/documents/investors/annual-reports/2023-annual-report.pdf
- 9entaingroup.com/documents/annual-reports/2023-annual-report
- 17gamstop.co.uk/
- 27legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/section/1
- 41sportsbusiness.com
- 42premierleague.com/clubs
- 43paddypower.com/brand
- 44skysports.com