As conversations around gambling regulation and responsible gaming gain momentum in the UK, new research from BonusFinder reveals a complex public sentiment toward the online gambling landscape.

The nationwide survey, which was conducted in May 2025 and included 1,000 respondents, reveals that while the majority of Brits engage with online gambling platforms occasionally, concerns around transparency, trust and bonus terms remain prominent.

Usage patterns

Respondents were asked a series of questions on how they use online gambling platforms, the types of gambling they participate in the most, and if they claim the bonuses offered to them.

Overall, the usage of the platforms across the UK might not be as high as some expect, with 65% claiming they ‘rarely’ use gambling sites and 19% saying they only use the platforms ‘occasionally’.

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UK attitudes towards online gambling & bonuses in 2025 have become more lenient in comparison to previous years. The study found that younger Brits, those in the 18-24 bracket, were the least likely to use gambling platforms at 5%, whilst being the most likely to only use the sites ‘rarely’.

Of those asked, within that age bracket, 76% claimed they use gambling sites less than once a month. Meanwhile, 34-55 year olds are most likely to use sites multiple times a week, with 9% claiming so.

Self-employed Brits are the most likely to be using gambling platforms multiple times a week at 12%, this was followed by those who are unemployed at 11%.

Unsurprisingly, sports betting is the most common form of online gambling in the UK with 42% of respondents claiming that this is the type of gambling they participate in most often.

It was also the most popular form of betting across most of the age ranges, except for the two oldest brackets (55-64, 64+) whose most popular choice was ‘other’, which can include the likes of lottery and horse racing.

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Bonus awareness & understanding

Around three in five (59%) Brits have claimed a welcome bonus or promotional offer from online gambling sites. However, even more respondents (63%) say that they rarely use casino betting bonuses outside of these welcome bonuses.

Only 3% of the respondents said they use bonuses almost every time they gamble, whilst 26% use them ‘occasionally’. Those who do use bonuses said they most frequently find them directly on the gambling site, with 64% saying so.

This was followed by finding them through social media or website ads (26%) and bonus comparison sites (13%).

Understanding of online casino terms (such as ‘wagering requirements’, ‘cashable vs.

non-cashable’) is quite clear amongst Brits, with 17% saying their understanding is ‘very clear’ whilst 42% say their understanding is ‘somewhat clear’.

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Only 16% claimed they don’t understand the terminology at all. Additionally, 56% of Brits claim that they’ve been surprised by the conditions attached to some bonuses.

Confidence in regulation & industry fairness

Not just in the UK, but globally, the casino and gambling industry is often viewed with controversy, prompting a regulatory focus. However, there is no shortage of systems in place in the UK to ensure that these platforms are properly regulated.

On the other hand, despite this, the results show that Brits (understandably) still have their doubts about the systems in place. Overall, only 9% are ‘very confident’ that gambling sites are properly regulated, whilst 43% said they weren’t confident at all.

Older Brits (45-55 year olds) had the most confidence in sites being properly regulated, with 55% saying they’re confident; however, 65% of the eldest bracket (65+) said they had no confidence at all.

Many Brits also have doubts that the UK Gambling Commission are doing enough to protect customers. Only 19% said they thought that they do enough, 28% weren’t sure and 53% say they don’t protect customers at all.

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However, the most surprising statistic in this section of the survey is that over two-thirds of the respondents (67%) said they don’t know how to check if a gambling site is licensed in the UK.

Unfortunately, Brits also have doubts when it comes to bonus comparison and affiliate sites sharing fair and unbiased information. In the survey, 54% of Brits claimed they felt like they couldn’t trust them, whilst 31% say they weren’t sure if they could or not.

The primary concerns around gambling and casino sites amongst Brits were;

• Addiction and gambling harm (32%)
• Misleading bonus terms (21%)
• Underage access (17%)
• Data privacy (14%)
• Unlicensed operators (13%)

UK perceptions & marketing

Almost half (45%) of Brits have a negative perception of online gambling sites, and 46% say that their view is ‘neutral’.

Despite earlier questions showing that the younger generation was the least likely to be using the sites on a regular basis, they were the most likely to have a positive view of the sites. Of the 25-34 year olds, 10% said they had a positive perception, this was also the same for the 35-44 age group.

Despite 42% of Brits saying that they feel that bonuses are advertised fairly only

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‘sometimes’, 31% believe they aren’t all. Meanwhile 71% said they believe that bonus

promotions should be more strictly regulated.

When asked what would be their biggest confidence booster in regards to their use of online gambling and casino sites, the respondents said:

• Clearer terms and conditions (22%)
• Stronger licensing (15%)
• UK-based customer support (15%)
• Verified customer reviews (13%)
• Faster payouts (12%)
• Emphasis on responsible gambling tools (12%)
• Publicly verified RTP (return to player percentages) (11%)