Updated operator data covering gambling activity from March 2020 to December 2025 has been made available by the UK Gambling Commission. The dataset offers information on both in-person and online gambling in Great Britain, including activity from high-street betting establishments.
The numbers contrast the third quarter of the fiscal year 2025–2026 with the same time in 2024–2025. Crucially, the Commission advises against making direct comparisons between this dataset and other general industry statistics. It does not collect data from every operator and includes bonuses and free bets.
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Despite increased activity, online gambling revenue declines
From October to December, the cumulative Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) on the internet was £1.5 billion. This is a 2% decline from the previous year. But at the same time frame, there was an increase in betting activity.
The total amount of wagers and spins increased by 6% to 27.4 billion. The average monthly active accounts decreased by 2% to 12.7 million at the same period. Rather than a general increase in involvement, this shows increased engagement among current users.
#Betting on Real Events Drops
The contraction in real event betting was more pronounced. GGY dropped to £530 million, an 18% year-over-year decrease. In the meantime, there were 6% fewer bets overall. The average number of active accounts per month fell by 7%.
These numbers suggest that during the quarter, consumer expenditure in traditional betting markets was lower.
#The Growth of Online Slots
In contrast, online slots delivered tremendous growth. Slots GGY reached £788 million, a 10% rise. The total number of spins increased by 7% to 25.7 billion. The average number of active accounts each month increased by 5% to 4.6 million.
In this dataset, GGY and spin volumes both hit all-time highs for the third straight quarter. Even with the introduction of stricter stake restrictions earlier in 2025, participation in the slots market is still high.
The length of the session, however, exhibits a different trend. 8.9 million online slot sessions lasted longer than an hour, a 16% decrease from the previous year. The average session lasted 16 minutes, a two-minute reduction. Just 4.4 percent of sessions lasted longer than an hour, down from 6.2 percent a year prior.
Throughout the year, the Commission observed that certain operators improved their session measurement techniques. As a result, it is important to analyze year-over-year comparisons with caution.
#Modest Decline in Betting Premises
GGY from land-based gambling establishments dropped to £549 million, a 7% reduction. At 3.1 billion, total wagers and spins decreased by 1%. The decline indicates ongoing pressure on retail gaming venues, even though it is less than that of online real event betting.
#Context of Regulation
Since the implementation of new maximum stake restrictions for online slots, this quarter marks the third reporting period. April 2025 saw the implementation of a £5 maximum stake for adults, and May 2025 saw the implementation of a £2 cap for players between the ages of 18 and 24.
These kinds of legislative adjustments are intended to lessen the negative effects of gambling while maintaining consumer choice. Naturally, as operators become used to the new framework, the Commission will keep an eye on behavior both during and after the bedding-in phase.
#Looking Ahead
The data shows a mixed picture: overall internet revenue has somewhat decreased, but engagement metrics are still strong; slot machine expansion has continued, but real event betting and retail locations have shrunk.
For the most recent statistics, the Gambling Commission suggests that interested parties consult the complete dataset. When market behavior begins to change due to regulatory reforms, ongoing insights will be crucial.
The latest figures highlight how regulatory reforms and shifting consumer behavior can significantly influence gambling markets. For operators planning to enter regulated jurisdictions or adapt their compliance strategies, professional legal guidance can be essential.