Gambling Facts and Statistics – Who Gambles (and How)?

In an effort to make distinctions between Web-based personal computer gambling and gambling by mobile phones and interactive television, the Gambling Commission in the U.K. put together a report that was the first in a series. One of the key goals, according to the commission, is to measure participation to get a more accurate view of gambling in Britain.

The commission lists these items among key findings of the January 2009 survey:

o 9.7 percent of 8,000 adults surveyed in the U.K. said they had participated in one of the forms of remote gambling in 2008. This compares to 7.2 percent in 2006 and 8.8 percent in 2007.
o The people most likely to take part in remote gambling: males between 18 and 44 years of age
o Most of the people who participated in remote gambling used a personal computer – nearly 3 times more than mobile phone or interactive TV

It’s interesting to note that the consistent increase in participation in the U.K. is primarily due to remote access for Britain’s National Lottery. When these lottery players are separated from the other survey respondents, the numbers indicate that 5.2 percent of the people surveyed took part in some form of remote gambling. The bottom line is that, in the U.K., more than 90 percent of the people don’t gamble online or by some other remote means.

The report also separates respondents based on the type of gambling. For example, only 2.4 percent said they bet on horse racing of some type. Just 1.1 percent played bingo from a remote location. Roulette and blackjack were played by 1 percent of the people surveyed.

The commission has also released similar gambling statistics through June 2009. This report shows a few slight differences from the January data.

o 10.2 percent of 8,000 adults surveyed said they participated in some form of remote gambling in the previous month
o Remote gambling on a personal computer continued to be the most popular method (8.6 percent)
o Statistics for various types of games didn’t show any significant changes, as 1.1 percent played blackjack or roulette from a remote location.

In contrast to the low number of people who engage in online, mobile or interactive TV gambling, reports on all gambling for 2007 and 2008 show that 68 percent of the population has tried some form of gambling. This translates to more than 30 million residents. It seems that the National Lottery, live casinos, betting parlors and other forms of in-person gambling are very popular with U.K. residents.

When the study took out the people who only purchased National Lottery tickets, results still show that nearly half of adults have tried gambling of some sort (48 percent). Among those millions of people, 17 percent bet on horse racing and 14 percent played the slots.

o £84.2 billion devoted to gambling annually
o Approximately 4,000 licensed operators in the gambling industry

Jim Hale is a veteran writer with more than 30 years experience in the

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UK Gambling Laws

Your visit to the city of London or Manchester can just not be complete without you visiting any one of the casinos. Specifically now, as the gambling laws have been relaxed, a ‘punter’ in literal terms can have a ‘relaxed’ visit to the casino and play the game he wants. ‘Relaxed’ may be a pun in the context as Casinos brim with action at all times. One thing is for sure, UK Gambling Laws have been formed now in such a way that gambling can indeed be treated as a fun activity.

What are the UK Gambling Laws?

o Establishment a single regulatory authority – The latest change to the UK Gambling Laws has been to establish a single regulatory authority that will regulate and monitor the activity of gambling in the United Kingdom. This authority will regulate and prescribe rules to entities that promote and conduct gambling activities.

o The UK Gambling Commission – In the United Kingdom, it is believed now that the word gambling starts and ends with “The UK Gambling Commission”. This is the single regulatory authority which we discussed a while before. The UK Gambling Commission’s major role is to provide licenses to all the gambling operators. With workers in casinos and gambling outlets a major factor to customer’s experience, the commission also regulates licenses to key workers in the gambling outlets.

o Tests for Gambling Operators – Gambling operators in the UK have never had it so tough in the UK to get their licenses. Now, it is mandatory for the gambling operators to undergo a three part test also known as the Fit and Proper Test. This is done for them to get an operating license. The Fit and Proper test examines the applicant’s suitability to the role, financial stability, knowledge and competence in gambling. The applicant is required to pass all the three examinations to be considered eligible to get the operating license. The UK Gambling Commission conducts monitoring and inspection activities on the applicant and the casino. This is a due diligence activity carried out by the UK Gambling Commission to ensure that all the standards prescribed to the gambling operators are met consistently.

o Licenses for Corporate clients – Should you be a director of a casino, you would be considered as a corporate client. In all probabilities, you and other key members of your management team would need to undergo a test conducted by the UK Gambling Commission.

As per the new gambling laws in the UK, every application is thoroughly examined, monitored and if necessary, the candidates would be interviewed before an operating license is given to the individual or the entity.

If people think that all these laws have been introduced to shy people away from opening and visiting casinos, they are wrong. The objective of restructuring the UK Gambling Laws is to ensure that gambling no longer is considered an illegal activity. Now, if you are in UK, you do not need to hide from the cops if you wish to go gambling.

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