We can safely say that the UK has one of the largest and most mature gambling markets in the world. It is a place where people can find all kinds of bookmakers and casinos, including many unique options available only here.
Considering this, we at Nostrabet were not surprised when we discovered that many UK bettors employ a variety of strategies when playing. Unlike in the past, when people focused on sports betting or casinos, for example, bettors now use a wide range of tools.
The statistics are quite interesting, and we also believe they are related to the problem gambling rates in the country. It is interesting to learn more about the situation, so let’s dive in.
44% of People Took Part in One Activity
While it is true that more and more people choose to play multiple things, some things remain more popular than others. As a result, more than 44% of people chose to focus on a particular option.
Based on additional data from the Gambling Commission, we can see that around 21% of people only took part in lotteries from the National Lottery or other lotteries. Those things are very popular in the UK and continue to attract more people, especially the more casual bettors.
The stats also show that the gambling participation is highest for people between the ages of 55 and 64. This may seem very high, but if we remove the lottery from the picture, the overall age drops to 35-44.
Apart from lottery draws, UK players also prefer scratch cards, as 13% of them have chosen this activity. Sports betting is next with 9% (to be honest, we expected more here), followed by online instant games with 8%.
If we exclude people who play lotteries, the online gambling participation rate sits at 38%.
39% Use 2-3 Activities, Followed by 12% for 4-6 and 5% for 7+
Even though the overwhelming majority of people use only one gambling activity, the stats reveal that others are more innovative. For example, close to 19% of people use between 2 and 3. We already pointed out which are some of the most popular products, so we can assume that most UK bettors combine lotteries with scratch cards.
An interesting fact is that close to 12% of participants use between 4 and 6 activities. This is where we enter the “hardcore” territory, as only experienced players will utilise so many options.
Finally, we have 7+ gambling activities, and the stats reveal that only 5% of people use those. Again, this falls into the hardcore category because it means that these individuals literally play everything that’s offered. One of the reasons we believe this percentage is as it is is due to the numerous multifunctional gambling websites available in the UK. These places offer amenities such as a sportsbook, casino, lottery, scratch cards, and numerous other options.
Problem Gambling in the UK – An Interesting Approach
We can safely say that the UK is one of the countries that is affected the most by gambling problems. It is a place where people have access to all kinds of third-party responsible gambling tools (more about them in a bit).
Considering the data on what people bet on and how many choose multiple options, we wanted to share some details about the age distribution of problem gamblers. The study shows that around 47.9% of people aged 18-24 have NOT gambled in the last 12 months. To be honest, we expected this percentage to be much lower, but it seems like more and more users are aware of the different problems that come from gambling.
Moving on to the next age group, we are those between 24 and 35. This group is very important because it represents many of the people who go to work. Based on the stats, around 40.5% of them have not gambled at all in the last 12 months.
Those between 45-54 are next, and the stats drop even lower at 34.9%. The situation is more or less the same for those between 55 and 64, as the percentage is 37.4%.
Moving on to the last two groups, we have 42.2% for those between 65 and 74 and 49.4% for those over the age of 75.
So, to sum up, people between the ages of 45 and 54 seem to gamble more than everyone else. Unsurprisingly, the elderly (75+) gamble the least, but they are closely followed by those between 18 and 24.
Keep in mind that each of these age groups also has a specific PGSI (program gambling severity index). This is a statistic based on the answers to various gambling-related questions.
Why Are the Stats as They Are?
We can safely say that the stats mentioned above reveal a lot more than meets the eye. They offer a view into social habits, economic conditions, and so much more.
For example, since people between the ages of 55-64 seem to be the most active in gambling, this can indicate that these people are more financially stable. A lot of people in this age group are approaching retirement, so most have more disposable income.
In contrast, the younger generation of gamblers is not as engaged. It seems like many prefer video gaming, esports, or other forms of entertainment. We firmly believe that many are well-aware of the different problem gambling issues, and some probably lack disposable income.
Responsible Gambling Measures in Place
Since many people gamble in the UK, locals have access to various responsible gambling measures. We’d like to start by noting that companies operating under a license from the UKGC are required to comply with a large number of obligations related to this topic. For example, they must provide customers with information on how to play responsibly and take steps to protect vulnerable individuals.
To help people even more, the UK promotes initiatives like GAMSTOP, GAMCARE, BeGambleAware, and more. These features give gamblers the opportunity to stop themselves from using such sites and help them stay in control.
Aside from that, gambling sites in the UK are required to conduct affordability and personal circumstances checks. It probably goes without saying, but they also have to verify people’s age and provide a wide range of responsible gambling features. In fact, let’s learn more about them.
The Most Popular Responsible Gambling Features
We can write a separate article about this topic and how it all works, but the idea is to be brief. Here’s an overview of some of the most common responsible gambling features players can find in the UK:
- Various limits: Most bookmakers will allow people to set deposit, wager, or even loss limits. The feature will work slightly differently, based on the operator, but it is always handy.
- Time/Session Limits: There are tools that allow you to control how much time you spend logged in.
- Reality Checks: This works similarly to the time and session limits, but it shows you a notification.
- Self-Exclusion: One of the most powerful tools around. It allows people to “find themselves” by using a specific gambling site.
These are just some of the measures people will find when they start using a gambling site in the UK. As mentioned, local authorities are doing what they can to promote responsible gambling, so we would not be surprised if there are even more options in the future.
Why is Betting Such a Big Part of the UK Culture?
All the statistics mentioned so far reveal one significant thing: gambling plays a substantial role in the UK. It is something that has been woven into the fabric of British betting culture, dating all the way to the 18th century. This was when people had the chance to bet on horse racing events.
Speaking of horse racing, sports have a lot to do with why Brits like betting so much. They are famous for being passionate about football, cricket and many other sports. Betting on them allows supporters to feel more invested in the outcome.
Another reason why betting is so big in the UK is because of modern tech. Nowadays, everyone can get an app and place bets on the go. Millions of people do that on a daily basis and the stats back it up.
Conclusion
No one can deny that gambling remains a deeply rooted and evolving aspect of UK culture. Whether some people like it or not, it has been shaped by traditional tech and changing social attitudes.
The country has a strong regulatory framework and commitment to responsible gambling. It offers various tools and services to assist users when they have issues, which is not the case in many parts of the world.
Despite the advanced gambling industry in the UK, the future will present its own challenges. There will be a need to further improve responsible gambling measures and raise awareness about the issues in this industry.
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