Panda Ludens has published findings from three consecutive waves of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, analyzing participation rates across different age brackets. The report documents a consistent drop in engagement among younger players and a statistically significant rise among older demographics.
The survey records a three-year decline in non-lottery gaming for the 18 to 24 age group, with participation falling from 33.8 percent to 32.9 percent before reaching 29.5 percent. The 65 to 74 cohort shows a statistically significant upward trend, increasing from 16.4 percent to 17.2 percent and finally to 19.2 percent, with a p-value of 0.033.
Regulatory Impact and Generational Shifts
New betting restrictions implemented in April 2025 likely affect the younger demographic. United Kingdom regulators now enforce age-based limits for online slot wagers, setting a £2 cap for players under 25 and a £5 cap for those 25 and older. The growth among senior participants reflects a cohort effect, as individuals who adopted digital gambling during their late forties and early fifties now maintain those habits in retirement.
Future older generations will approach gaming with established preferences formed by earlier online exposure.