UK Online Gambling Revenue Hits £1.45B in Q1 2025

Key Takeaways
- Online gambling in the United Kingdom generated £1.45 billion in revenue in Q1 2025 – an increase of 7% compared to the previous year.
- Online slot machines were the main growth driver, generating £689 million.
- The number of active slot accounts rose to 4.5 million – a new record high.
- Retail betting (at physical betting shops) saw a 3% decline in revenue.
- The average duration of a slot session remained at 17 minutes, but longer sessions increased.
Strong Growth in Online Gambling
Online gambling in the United Kingdom continues to grow. In the first quarter of 2025, the UK Gambling Commission reported a Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) of £1.45 billion. This represents a 7% increase compared to the same period last year.
Notably, the online slots segment grew by 11%, generating £689 million. Slots now account for nearly half of total online gambling revenue.
Record Number of Active Player Accounts
The number of monthly active accounts for slot games reached a new peak of 4.5 million – a 6% year-over-year increase. The number of spins also rose, reaching 23.4 billion, up 6%.
One reason for this increase: the gambling authority has reclassified some games previously listed under general casino categories as slots, offering a clearer picture of the segment’s actual importance.
Longer Slot Play Sessions
More players are spending longer periods playing online slots. The number of sessions lasting more than one hour increased by 5% to 10.1 million. However, these longer sessions still only account for 6% of all sessions. The average session length remained steady at 17 minutes.
Other Online Betting Segments Also Growing
Other forms of online gambling also showed positive trends. Betting on real-world events – particularly sports betting – achieved a GGY of £596 million. This marks a 5% increase, even though the number of bets (–1%) and active accounts (–2%) slightly declined.
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Decline in Physical Betting Shops
In contrast to the online sector, retail betting continued to decline. Revenue from Licensed Betting Offices (LBOs) fell by 3% to £554 million. The total number of bets and spins in these locations dropped by 5% to 3.1 billion.
Data Sources and Limitations
The reported figures come directly from licensed operators. They do not include promotions such as bonuses or free bets. As a result, actual market performance may vary slightly. Nevertheless, the data provides a reliable insight into current trends.
Our Assessment
Online gambling in the UK continues to show stable growth – especially in the slots segment. The dominance of this category highlights the importance for operators to offer an attractive slot selection. At the same time, the retail betting market continues to lose relevance. For you as a player, this means online offerings are becoming more diverse, user-friendly, and better regulated. When choosing a provider, pay attention to licensing, game selection, and responsible gambling practices.
Sources
- UK Gambling Commission