Browsing the UK's Gambling Landscape: A Quarterly Report
UK Gambling Commission Reveals Findings from Player Engagement Survey
Dive into the pulse of the United Kingdom's gambling sector as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) sheds light on the 4,018 participants in their recent phone survey. Let's explore the trends, issue areas, and popular gambling avenues.
Gambling Across the UK
Indulgence in gambling essentially remains unchanged from the previous year, with 44% of respondents participating in gambling activities in September. Breaking it down, 27% visited land-based casinos or retail sportsbooks, while 27% preferred online gambling. The in-person gambling rate is still below pre-pandemic levels, yet on an upward trajectory, reflecting the sector's recovery.
Surprisingly, the number of young people (aged 16-24) displays an alarming increase in problem gambling, accounting for 1.4% of the respondents.
The Rise of Popular Gambling Verticals
As we delve into the gambling preferences, the National Lottery stands out as Britain's most popular online gambling vertical, boasting 16.1% of participants within the past month. Other lotteries come second, followed closely by sports betting at 3.9% and horse racing at 2.6%.
In-person gambling enthusiasts predominantly favor the National Lottery, with a staggering 15.3% participation. The remainder consists of lesser-seen in-person lottery operators, horse races, bingo, and sports betting, accounting for 1% each.
The Commission's Reflections
The UKGC attributes the sector's ongoing recovery to the lingering effects of COVID-19. Although overall gambling participation remains below pre-pandemic levels, it's encouraging to see increasing in-person engagements in bingo, horse racing, and dog racing.
Young adults are more likely to return to in-person gambling compared to older adults, bringing participation rates closer to pre-pandemic norms. Lastly, the burgeoning iGaming market is driven by the popularity of the National Lottery's online offerings, online slots, and instant win games.
While the UK gambling market is experiencing significant growth due to technological advancements, concerns about problem gambling persist, especially among young individuals, along with the influence of black market gambling sites.
- The United Kingdom's Gambling Commission (UKGC) revealed that 44% of respondents participated in gambling activities during September, with 27% opting for land-based casinos or retail sportsbooks and another 27% preferring online gambling.
- The report also highlighted the alarming increase in problem gambling among young people (aged 16-24), who accounted for 1.4% of the respondents.
- In terms of online gambling preferences, the National Lottery emerged as Britain's most popular vertical, with 16.1% of participants engaging within the past month.
- For in-person gambling enthusiasts, the National Lottery led the way with a 15.3% participation rate.
- The UKGC credits the gambling sector's ongoing recovery to the lingering effects of COVID-19, and notes an increase in in-person engagements in bingo, horse racing, and dog racing.
- Young adults are more likely to re-engage in in-person gambling, helping bring participation rates closer to pre-pandemic norms.
- The report also addresses concerns about the influence of black market gambling sites and problem gambling, particularly among young individuals, as the iGaming market continues to grow mainly due to the popularity of online slots, instant win games, and the National Lottery's online offerings.
