Report reveals gambling represents 10.69% of UK consumers’ leisure spending

A recent report from the Department of Trust (DoT) of the United Kingdom has shed light on how gambling fits into the broader spending habits of UK consumers, revealing that it accounts for 10.69% of the average person’s monthly leisure expenditure.

The study, based on raw bank data from 304,022 individuals who made payments to UK-licensed gambling operators between April 2023 and April 2024, provides a perspective on gambling's role in everyday life.

The report found that these consumers collectively deposited a net sum of £150.8 million ($184.4 million) with gambling companies over the year. However, the data also suggests that gambling is just one component of a varied leisure budget, with other activities and hobbies taking larger shares.

According to the report, the average gambler allocates £390 ($477) per month to leisure activities. Gambling ranks fifth on their list of priorities, following food delivery, media subscriptions, dining out, and holiday expenses. On average, gamblers spend £41.34 ($50.5) on gambling monthly, compared to £43.97 ($53.7) on food delivery and £47.53 ($58.1) on entertainment and streaming services.

For high-value gamblers, those with net gambling deposits exceeding £150, gambling takes a much more significant share of their leisure budget. These individuals spend an average of £452.38 ($553.3) per month on leisure, with £191 ($233.6) (42.15%) directed toward gambling.

Despite their focus on gambling, high-value gamblers still allocate funds to other activities, spending £36.52 ($44.6) on food delivery and £35 ($42.8) on media subscriptions monthly. Their overall leisure spend is 17% higher than the general average.

Charles Cohen, CEO of the Department of Trust, highlighted the balance in spending habits for most gamblers. “Money talks and in this case, it eats too, since people spend more on pizza than on a punt,” Cohen remarked.

He stated that gambling is generally part of a diverse leisure mix, dispelling concerns that it might dominate or displace other activities. Over a third of the gamblers studied also made charitable contributions, and fitness-related expenses were common.

McDonald’s emerged as the most popular food delivery choice among UK gamblers. Meanwhile, stay-at-home activities, such as betting online, food delivery, and streaming, comprised roughly a third of total leisure spending, with the majority going toward out-of-home experiences.

Cohen noted that gambling does not appear to foster a “stay-at-home” lifestyle or displace other activities, saying: “Stay-at-home fun, such as Netflix, food delivery, and betting online, is only about a third of leisure spend: the rest is spent on going out or going away.”