The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has revealed more information regarding the impact of the more relaxed coronavirus lockdown measures on local people’s online gambling behaviour.
The provided data, which was collected by the regulator from the largest online gambling companies and involves online gambling only, reflects not only March 2020 but also three months of full lockdown in April, May and June 2020. As the UKGC shared, gambling behaviours of local people have changed at a time when the country is gradually easing its full lockdown measures.
According to the latest online data provided by the watchdog, the gambling market has entered a new phase that unfortunately poses potentially changing risks associated with gambling-related harm.
Online Real-Event Betting GGY Marks 115% Increase in May and June
According to data provided by gambling companies, there was a 115% increase to £217.5 million in the Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) for online real event betting in May and June 2020. Also, the GGY was higher in June than its average levels before the Covid-19 lockdown.
The data shows that the release of suppressed demand, especially when it comes to betting on football matches, and should be considered in the specific context of the unavailability or unwillingness of some customers to place bets in licensed betting offices across the country. Several player-friendly attributes in June included the high frequency of football fixtures, some of which were broadcast live on TV, and favourable timings in terms of matches provided.
The UK Gambling Commission further revealed that a 1% increase in the number of online slots has been registered since May, but a 5% decline in the overall number of slots bets was registered in the same period. Furthermore, a 10% decrease in loss per active player was registered. Furthermore, the figures regarding loss per player are considerably higher for slots compared to the ones for any other online gambling activity. British players’ average monthly losses for slots amount to £68 in June, while the losses for real-event betting and online casino amount to £54 and £37, respectively.
Online Gambling Companies Still required to Identify and Interact with Customers Whenever Needed
In the latest data provided by the gambling regulatory body, it also became clear that the number of gambling products or activities undertaken by local customers is considered a potential sign of gambling-related harm.
The slight decline in the number of online gambling products chosen by individual customers continues as the coronavirus crisis evolves. Still, British players remain more engaged in online gambling activities than they were in March 2019. A total of 35% of British online gamblers were engaged in more than one activity in June, with the result representing a slight decline from the 41% registered in April.
The UK Gambling Commission still expects from operators to carry out identification and interaction with their customers whenever necessary, considering the changes and challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the market. The watchdog shared that since it issued additional guidance to gambling companies in May, the number of online slots sessions lasting longer than an hour was reduced by 5% in the month to June. there was also a decline in the length of average sessions.
The number of customer interactions in May and June increased by 12%, with 6% of those interactions being direct contact from gambling operators’ staff.
- Author
Daniel Williams
