Did you know that around 40 million people in the UK are gambling each year? The online gambling sector is the fastest-growing in the entire world, and research suggests that as many as 50% of residents in the UK gamble in some form each month. So, why exactly is the UK gambling industry thriving? There are actually a handful of reasons as to why this might be the case, and it seems that it might only become more popular over time. So, keep reading to discover why the UK gambling industry is thriving right now and why people of all backgrounds and ages (over 18) are gambling online.
COVID-19
One of the main reasons why the UK gambling industry is flourishing right now is because of COVID-19. The pandemic has forced people to socialize less, spend more time at home and find new ways to keep themselves entertained. This has resulted in people turning to online casino games, sports betting, and other forms of gambling as an activity to keep people entertained.
Online Casinos
Another reason that the UK gambling industry is thriving is online casino gaming trends. There are endless online casinos to choose from, providing all kinds of exciting casino games with great gameplay, including poker, blackjack, roulette, slots, craps, and more. People can easily play these games on their phone, tablet, laptop, or another device, and this means that it is incredibly easy and convenient for people to stay gambling compared to times before online casinos.
Marketing
The impact of gambling marketing cannot be underestimated and is one of the biggest reasons why 40 million people in the UK gamble annually. The gambling advertising ban was lifted in 2007 and, although it is not without its critics, it is clear that marketing clearly works, and you see advertisements and sponsorships just about everywhere, including while watching live sports on TV.
Established Industry
Online gambling was legalised and regulated in 2005, which means that this is now a well-established and highly regulated industry. The same cannot be said for other countries around the world, so this is another reason why it is thriving in the UK. It is regulated by the Gambling Commission who created the Gambling Act 2005, which ensures that a reliable framework is in place and that people can easily gamble online legally.
Cultural Views
The cultural view of gambling in the UK is another reason that it is so popular. While gambling has been around in the UK since the 60s, in recent times, it has lost its “seedy” image, and now people from all backgrounds and ages (over 18) gamble in various ways, whether they are playing a fun online game, playing a live game of poker online, or betting on the outcome of a football match.
These are a few of the main reasons why the UK gambling industry is thriving right now. It is interesting to see how it has become such an enormous industry and how people of all backgrounds are gambling in one way or another, which suggests that it will only get bigger in the years to come.
