UK: Surprise results from latest Gambling Commission survey

Conducted by ICM Research on behalf of the Gambling Commission, the survey asked 4,000 people over four individual reviews two complementary sets of questions, one of which covered all types of gambling followed by a second dealing exclusively with remote gambling.

The Gambling Commission revealed that the average results for the year to the end of September showed that 12.4 percent of those surveyed had participated in at least one form of remote gambling over the previous four weeks. The findings were on a par with last year’s study but 1.3 percent higher than in 2010 and 1.9 percent up on 2009’s findings.

Half of those who had engaged in remote gambling had done so exclusively on National Lottery products with 5.5 percent of the 4,000 participating in other forms of iGaming over the period, which was a drop of 0.6 percent from last year’s high of 6.1 percent and the lowest figure since 2007’s 5.2 percent.

Overall, the Gambling Commission found that 10.3 percent of respondents had remotely purchased tickets for the National Lottery over the previous four weeks.

Males were more prevalent in remote gambling participation than females, while those aged 25 to 34 were the most likely to enjoy iGaming at 19.8 percent followed by 18.3 percent for players between the ages of 35 to 44. The study additionally found that those aged 18 to 24 were the next likely to engage in remote gambling at 18.3 percent while the 55 to 64 age range was the least likely.

The survey also discovered that a computer, laptop or hand-held device proved to be the most popular way to enjoy remote gambling at 4.6 percent, which excluded those who solely play the National Lottery, followed by mobile phones at 2.1 percent and interactive/digital televisions at 0.6 percent.

Finally, the National Lottery remained the most popular remote gambling activity at 10.3 percent followed by National Lottery scratchcards. Sportsbetting occupied third spot at 2.1 percent, which represents a 0.6 percent year-on-year decrease, followed by casino games including roulette and blackjack at 0.7 percent. Poker, slots and bingo ensued while 0.4 percent of respondents wagered on football pools and betting exchanges independently.