Key Moments:
- 72% of bettors reported that support for gambling issues has increased compared to the past
- Perceived improvement in support was higher among e-sports, boxing, tennis, and football bettors
- Yaspa highlighted the importance of open banking technology for real-time affordability checks
Survey Insights Reveal Evolving Attitudes
As Safer Gambling Week unfolds, Yaspa, an open banking provider, released new survey data that reveals shifting public attitudes toward support for gambling-related issues and emphasizes the growing role of technology in the gaming sector.
The Yaspa-commissioned study, conducted ahead of Safer Gambling Week (17–23 November), found that 72% of surveyed bettors – individuals who had placed at least one bet in the previous 12 months – perceived that there is now more support available for people experiencing or at risk for gambling problems.
Active Gamblers Express Strongest Confidence
The highest levels of confidence in improved support were seen among the most engaged betting communities. According to the survey, 80% of e-sports bettors, 79% of boxing bettors, 79% of tennis bettors, and 77% of football bettors expressed their belief in advancements within the sector.
Such optimism was less pronounced among the general population. While 61% of all British respondents agreed that support has increased, just 50% of non-bettors shared this perspective, underscoring a significant perception gap between those directly involved in betting and broader society.
Demographic Variations Highlighted
The findings showed notable differences by both age and gender. Confidence peaked among individuals aged 35–44 at 69%, whereas only 55% of those aged 18–24 felt support had improved. Men (65%) were more likely than women (56%) to observe positive changes.
| Group | Percentage Reporting Improved Support |
|---|---|
| Bettors (last 12 months) | 72% |
| E-sports Bettors | 80% |
| Boxing Bettors | 79% |
| Tennis Bettors | 79% |
| Football Bettors | 77% |
| All Brits | 61% |
| Non-Bettors | 50% |
| 35–44-Year-Olds | 69% |
| 18–24-Year-Olds | 55% |
| Men | 65% |
| Women | 56% |
Technology’s Role in Safer Gambling
Coinciding with Safer Gambling Week, Yaspa stressed the significance of evolving beyond improved perceptions of support. The company pointed to prevention and affordable play as the next frontiers for player protection, identifying open banking and real-time affordability checks as critical tools.
Yaspa’s Pay by Bank offerings, including Intelligent Payments, enable operators to securely and instantly access verified financial data with player consent. This facilitates accurate, data-driven affordability assessments during the registration process, lowering the need for self-reported data and reducing sign-up hurdles while maintaining player security and boosting conversion rates.
Yaspa Policy Perspective
Renuka Rawlings, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Yaspa, said:
“It’s encouraging that a majority of Brits, and particularly active bettors, feel that support for gambling issues has improved. This positive sentiment, especially during Safer Gambling Week, shows the industry’s efforts are being recognised.
However, perception of support is only part of the puzzle. The real challenge is in prevention. The industry must now leverage technology to build a more robust, preventative framework. We believe open banking is the key. It allows operators to move from reactive support to proactive safety, using real-time, consented data to ensure affordability and protect customers before they are at risk. It’s about creating a transparent, secure, and genuinely safer environment for everyone.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
