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The UK’s gambling yield climbed 7.3% in 2025 to £16.8bn, marking another year where online betting and casino play drove most of the industry’s forward movement.
British gambling revenue continues to shift toward online channels, with the Gambling Commission’s latest annual industry data showing a steady rise in remote gaming and a long-term contraction across land-based venues. The figures arrive ahead of the Autumn Budget, where several MPs are pressing for higher gambling taxation.
Online gambling drives market growth
Online gaming produced almost half of all gambling revenue, underscoring operators’ dependence on remote activity.
The Gambling Commission reported that gross gambling yield reached £16.8bn in the year ending 31 March 2025, up 7.3 per cent year-on-year. Remote casino, betting and bingo generated £7.8bn, an increase of 13.1 per cent. Online casino accounted for £5bn, including £4.2bn from slots, while remote betting produced £2.6bn.
Remote gambling now represents 46 per cent of the total market. The Commission also confirmed that active accounts stood at 24.4 million, while new registrations fell 4.1 per cent to 34 million.
The latest data also shows £1bn held in customer accounts, down 6.9 per cent. MPs campaigning for reform have pointed to these figures as evidence of an expanding digital market with rising consumer spend.
Land-based decline continues across betting shops and arcades
Land-based gambling showed mixed performance as long-term structural decline continues.
The land-based sector produced £4.8bn, representing 29 per cent of market share. Betting shops generated £2.5bn, up slightly by 0.7 per cent, though the number of premises fell again to 5,825, the eleventh consecutive year of decline.
Casino GGY rose 7.9 per cent to £933.8m, including £702.4m from table and live games and £231.5m from machines. Arcades delivered £723.3m, up 9 per cent, driven by adult gaming centres. Bingo GGY reached £650.4m, a 3.5 per cent improvement across games and machines.
The Commission also reported 8,234 licensed premises, down 1.1 per cent, and 2,179 licensed operators, down 3.7 per cent year-on-year.
Lotteries contribute £4.2bn as good-cause funding rises
Lottery activity remained a major revenue source with steady contributions to good causes.
Licensed lottery activity generated £4.2bn, equal to 25 per cent of total GGY. National Lottery ticket sales reached £7.9bn, up 0.8 per cent, while £1.6bn was returned to good causes, a 4.5 per cent increase. Large society lotteries added £1.1bn in ticket sales, with £484.6m directed toward good causes.
This part of the market is expected to remain a core fiscal contributor regardless of upcoming Budget decisions.
Pressure builds ahead of Autumn Budget
MPs are using the latest industry figures to intensify calls for higher gambling taxation.
Iain Duncan Smith and Meg Hillier cited the Commission’s data as justification for raising gambling taxes, arguing that stronger fiscal measures are needed to match the industry’s digital expansion. The Chancellor will present the Autumn Budget on 26 November, where gambling duty is expected to be a key talking point.
The findings also follow continuing enforcement activity, including the recent suspension of Deadheat Racing’s licence due to compliance concerns.
Quarterly reporting introduces new transparency
The Commission has begun quarterly reporting as part of new regulatory requirements introduced last year.
The first quarterly dataset, covering April to June 2025, recorded £3.3bn in GGY. Remote gaming produced £2bn, including £1.4bn from online casino, while land-based operations generated £1.2bn.
Quarterly releases are designed to give regulators and policymakers a more responsive view of market movement as legislative changes continue.
Source: Focus Gaming News
