UK: remote gambling was up 5 %

Remote gambling in the UK is expected to keep rising, with 13.7 % of the population involved in remote gambling at the end of last year. That figure was up from the 9.8 % of UK residents that gambled remotely back when it first started becoming popular in early 2007.

The difference in the past four years has been the implementation of the 2005 UK Gambling Act. All of the rules for the legislation did not go into effect until 2007, and online sites being able to advertise their product is perceived to be the reason the numbers have increased since those laws changed in 2007.

Before 2007, online sites were unable to advertise on the radio or on television. Once that avenue became available to them, the gaming operators quickly took advantage. In the past year, online gambling has doubled in the UK, with many gamblers choosing to stay at home and place their bets rather than head out to casinos.

Mobile gambling has become a major factor in the worldwide gaming industry. With most mobile devices having the capability to offer applications that lead to online betting sites, gamblers are finding comfort in playing their favourite slot and card games directly from their mobile phones.

In Nevada, mobile gaming has been approved and lawmakers have recently passed a bill allowing gambling in casino resort hotel rooms. The additional form of gambling allows vacationers to play slots, blackjack, and other popular games while sitting in the comfort of their own room.

Gaming operators in the UK have stepped up their efforts even more over the past year. Millions of dollars in advertising funds are now being spent in order for online sites to reach as many potential UK customers as possible.