Top UK gamblers spend £745 a month as betting activity rises ahead of major sports events

The UK’s most active gamblers are spending an average of £745 per month. This is according to new figures released by Nationwide Building Society. They highlight growing concerns around gambling harm as the country heads into a packed year of major sporting events. The building society’s research was conducted with a sample of 2,000 UK gamblers.

What the data shows

Nationwide reported that the total value of gambling transactions increased by nine per cent year-on-year in January. Betting transactions rose by seven per cent, showing that gambling activity is increasing across the country. This is even as regulators and support organisations continue to warn about the risks of excessive betting.

The data also shows that the top ten per cent of gamblers account for significantly higher spending. These participants wager an average of £745 each month.

Support services are reporting growing demand at the same time. We’ve seen the National Gambling Helpline, operated by GamCare, receive more than 105,000 contacts from people seeking support in 2025. In January 2026, the helpline made 996 referrals to treatment and peer support services. This was an increase of 48% compared with the same month a year earlier.

The majority of people gamble without experiencing harm. That said, the figures show there is an ongoing challenge for banks, regulators and charities in identifying early warning signs.

Kathryn Townsend, head of customer vulnerability at Nationwide, said the data shows there’s a need for stronger safeguards.

“With a year of major sporting events ahead, we’re concerned that more people could find themselves gambling more than they can afford,” she said.

“That’s why early identification and strong safeguards matter. No one should feel they have to face gambling harm alone.”

Sporting calendar expected to drive betting

The research suggests betting activity could increase further during 2026. 68% of gamblers say they expect to place more bets due to the busy sporting calendar.

Football is expected to be the biggest driver of this activity. The FIFA Men’s World Cup was cited by 59% of respondents as the event most likely to influence their betting behaviour.

Other major competitions also feature prominently. This includes the UEFA Champions League and its final, which were mentioned by 34% and 30% of gamblers, respectively. Horse racing events like Royal Ascot are also likely triggers for increased betting.

Bank gambling blocks are gaining traction

Financial institutions are increasingly promoting tools designed to help customers control their gambling spending.

Nationwide introduced enhanced gambling controls in 2024. This includes account blocks that prevent payments to gambling operators. According to the building society, more than 10,000 gambling blocks are now applied to customer accounts each month.

Awareness of these tools remains limited, though. The survey found that nearly one in five gamblers (19%) did not know that banks and building societies offer this. Half of those who were aware said they had used it. More than half said that the block helped prevent them from continuing to gamble.

GamCare also encourages people to use multiple safeguards. These include bank blocks, self-exclusion schemes like GamStop and blocking software like Gamban.

Raminta Diliso, senior partnerships manager at GamCare, said gambling harm often remains hidden despite the serious impact it can have on individuals and families.

“Financial difficulties, mental health struggles and relationship challenges are all common impacts facing those who are struggling with gambling,” she said.

Key Nationwide gambling figures