Gambling statistics in the UK
The gambling industry, over the years, has enjoyed rapid growth worldwide. A pastime once considered illegal and carried out in the shadows has become a major source of revenue for governments, bookmakers and gamblers.
The United Kingdom legalised online gambling through the enactment of the Gambling Act in 2005. This action propelled the UK as the first major country to legalise online gambling and has since enjoyed the dividend of the legalisation as the gambling industry in the UK is one of the most successful all over the world.
How big is the Gambling Industry in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, gambling in all its different shades and forms makes up a high chunk of the total income generated by the government, and this level of expansion can be attributed to the increasing quantity of online gambling sites, which makes gambling easier and more convenient.
In total, about 24 million residents in the UK engage in a form of online gambling at least once a month, which is about 44% of the gross population of adults over the age of 18 years. The ratio of men who gamble is more than that of women. As of March, 45% of males gamble compared to 42% of female UK residents who are involved in gambling.
Online gambling in the UK
Online gambling, which includes online gaming, and betting, is the biggest form of gambling preferred by bettors in the UK after the National Lottery. The UKGC, over the years, has granted over 3600 gambling licenses to 2600 online gambling businesses, with over ten thousand employees working in the online betting sector.
In its early years, gambling was strictly done on land-based casinos or betting houses. However, with the help of technology, new online bookmakers are springing up daily, which further enlarges the scope of the industry. According to the UK Gambling Commission, about 175 online bookmakers function in the UK, with new ones opening every month. Click on the provided link to see the top new bookmakers in the UK with the best offers and promotions.
The increase in online gambling has had a profound impact on land-based gambling companies, operators, betting shops and bookmakers. Despite the growth recorded in the betting industry, physical cookies and shops are on the decline, with the workforce reduced by 15% in 2011 alone. Unlike in the past, when betting shops lined the streets, online betting sites are on the rise, while betting shops and land-based bookmakers are on the decrease.
According to data released in 2020, online gambling alone accounts for 40% of the whole gambling market in the UK, contributing a whooping £5.7 billion to Gross Gambling Yield. This makes online gambling the vastest sector of the industry after the National Lottery, which contributed £3.4 billion to the Gross Gambling Yield in 2020.
Online casinos were not exempt from immense success as they enjoyed great popularity among online gamblers and gamers. A total of £3.2 billion was generated in Gross Gambling Yield from just online casino games like slots, roulette, and blackjack.(Reference: Gambling Statistics)
Betting Industry
The betting industry is a major contributor to the gambling industry in the UK. As of 2019, there are over forty-six thousand employees in the betting industry. Other sectors like bingo, arcades and casinos in the betting industry have a combined employee population of about ten thousand.
Online sports betting, such as football betting, horse racing etc., picked up as it also took up a sizable portion of the market, generating £2.3 billion in Gross Gambling Yield.
Gambling addiction and other associated risks
Regardless of the numerous benefits gambling comes with for the government, gambling companies and punters, there is always the prevalent problem of gambling addiction and other mental and financial risks involved. Gambling has been known to cause gamblers to develop severe financial crises and debt, as 3.1% of problem gamblers have admitted to putting at stake more money they can not afford to lose. Problem gamblers also face chronic addiction as 15% of problem gamblers break office rules by gambling in their place of work.
Gambling addiction does cost not only the victims but also the government, as it has had to spend over £1.3 billion in 2021 alone to curb gambling addiction.
