UK real-event betting grows by 60% in May

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) published Monday further data showing the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on gambling behaviour.

The latest data reflects the two months of full lockdown in April and May and was collected from the largest online operators and the YouGov Covid-19 tracker. It highlights an increase in real-event betting and sports betting, partly due to the return in May of top-flight football through the German Bundesliga.

Overall participation has decreased, with the total number of active player accounts down 1.2% in May from April. But some engaged players are spending more time and money gambling on certain products. Overall average spend per active customer increased by 17% in May, compared to April. The number of sessions that lasted an hour or longer climbed by 18% in April from March.

A key component of the guidance issued to operators in May was the instruction to prevent reverse withdrawal options from June onwards. The data gathered throughout May showed significant usage of operator reverse withdrawal functions.

The new report builds on data published by the UKGC on 12 May and also on 12 June with the regulators issuing updated guidance to operators in May that included the need for improved affordability checks, the prevention of reverse withdrawals and restrictions on bonus offers. 

The data was taken from YouGov’s Covid-19 tracker, which covers a representative sample of circa 2,000 adults in Great Britain each week, and from submissions of the biggest operators, covering approximately 80% of the entire online gambling market.