UK Consumers Spend 11% of Monthly Leisure Budget on Gambling

At the end of a comprehensive 12 month-analysis of anonymously and fully consensually gathered bank transaction data from 304,022 active UK gamblers, award-winning provider of financial KYC for safer gambling the Department of Trust (DoT) has shed light on consumers’ gambling habits and how they fit into broader leisure spending patterns.

In total, the research included leisure spending of over £1.4 billion ($1.7 billion). 

Gambling Represents Roughly 11% of Monthly Average Leisure Budget

According to DoT, UK bettors use 10.69% of the average leisure spend on gambling every month. 

The report draws on bank transaction data from consumers who made at least one payment to a UK-licensed gambling operator, excluding the National Lottery, between April 1, 2023, and April 1, 2024. 

Together, these individuals deposited £150.8 million ($185.5 million) during this period. 

Notably, consumers who made deposits of over £150 ($184) were classified as high-value gamblers. 

As the data only tracked deposits, spending was inferred from monthly net deposits, with no consideration given to potential withdrawals.

Where Does the Money Go? 

On average, a UK gambler allocates £390 ($479) a month to leisure activities. The remaining leisure funds (89%) are split across various other categories, such as food delivery, entertainment, social outings, holiday expenses, dining or going out, flights, or hobbies. 

According to DoT’s chief executive officer, Charles Cohen, the data indicates that most gamblers incorporate gambling into a well-rounded lifestyle, mixing it with other activities like socializing, streaming, and dining.

“For many, gambling is just one piece of a larger leisure puzzle,” Cohen explained. “People are spending more on food delivery than gambling, and stay-at-home activities like Netflix and online betting make up only about one-third of their total leisure spend,” he added. 

Food delivery and media subscriptions surpass gambling in terms of expenditure. 

The average gambler spends £44 ($54) per month on food delivery, with McDonald’s emerging as the top choice among gamblers with 87% of the sample frequented the fast-food chain. 

Gym memberships and charity contributions also form part of their leisure spend.

As expected, high-value gamblers allocate a significant portion of their leisure budgets to it. On average, they spend £452.38 ($556.33) a month on leisure activities, with gambling making up 42.15% of their total expenditure representing £191 ($234). 

Food delivery comes in second, with an average spend of £36.52 ($44.91), followed by entertainment and media subscriptions at £35 ($43).

In October, the Gambling Commission announced its first-ever comprehensive study of the black market in an attempt to improve the oversight of illegal online gambling activities in the context of millions of gamblers continuing to use unlicensed operators.

The first findings are expected to be released to the public this spring.