The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published additional data related to players’ gambling behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall participation has gone down, though some players have spent more time and money on certain products compared to before.
The data builds on statistics that the UKGC released on 12th May. Research came from various sources, including YouGov.
Retail operators in the UK have been allowed to open their doors from today, with a number of sporting events returning to the calendar over the next few weeks.
Key findings from the report on UK gambling activities
Overall, active player accounts with regulated operators dropped by 5% between March and April 2020. This was largely due to the lack of events to bet on, with active players in this respect declining by 55% during the same time period.
During the lockdown, it appears that not many new players were attracted by gambling. Findings revealed that, according to YouGov research from 16th-17th April, just 0.2% of surveyed adults said that they had begun gambling for the first time in the four weeks up until then.
Some players are giving new things a try
Year-on-year statistics suggested that more players are branching into new verticals. In April 2019, 26% of consumers participated in more than one form of online gambling. For the same month this year, that had risen to 42%.
In addition to the above, the number of players interested in just one vertical dropped. Meanwhile, individuals betting on three or four (and more) verticals also rose.
UK gambling industry given the chance to get back to its feet
After three months of low activity, the UK gambling industry can see light at the end of the tunnel. Retail operators have been allowed to open from today, as long as they can ensure that safety measures are adhered to.
Sports is also set to pick up soon. The Premier League will awaken from its slumber on Wednesday evening, while the EFL Championship is set to resume this Saturday. Elsewhere, Royal Ascot is scheduled to commence from tomorrow and conclude this weekend.
