In a September to November 2023 survey of UK adults aged 16 years and older, it was found that 52 percent of respondents reported ever playing games on any device. This represents a slight decline from the 56 percent of respondents who claimed the same during the previous year. Gaming penetration across the UK grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as national lockdowns forced people to stay at home and socialize through digital means. Among gaming audiences in Europe, players from the UK showed particularly high engagement with gaming content.
Gaming penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2023
includes mobile, console, PC, handheld, smart tv, VR, and wearable devices
Method of interview
Online panel
Supplementary notes
* n (2007) = 2,905; n (2009) = 1,824; n (2010) = 2,117; n (2011) = 1,823; n (2012) = 1,805; n (2013) = 1,642; n (2014) = 1,890; n (2015) = 1,841; n (2016) = 1,846; n (2017) = 1,875; n (2018) = 1,882; n (2019) = 1,479; n (2020/21) = 3,105; n (2022) = 3,651; n (2023) = 3,643.
2022 wave: interviews were conducted between September 23 and November 9, 2022 2021 wave: interviews were conducted between October 16 and December 13, 2021 2020/21 wave: interviews were conducted between October 6, 2020 and January 23, 2021.
2021 methodology: interviewing conducted using a mix of post-to-online and online panels. Paper questionnaires could also be requested by postal respondents and were returned by post. Any break column with a base size lower than 100 has been removed as margins of error become too great. Data is tested at the 99% confidence level.
Original question: Do you play games at home or elsewhere in any of these ways? (MULTI CODE)
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Ofcom. (January 18, 2024). Gaming penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/300521/gaming-in-the-united-kingdom/
Ofcom. "Gaming penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2023." Chart. January 18, 2024. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/300521/gaming-in-the-united-kingdom/
Ofcom. (2024). Gaming penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/300521/gaming-in-the-united-kingdom/
Ofcom. "Gaming Penetration in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 2007 to 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 18 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/300521/gaming-in-the-united-kingdom/
Ofcom, Gaming penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/300521/gaming-in-the-united-kingdom/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Gaming penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2023 [Graph], Ofcom, January 18, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/300521/gaming-in-the-united-kingdom/