Participation down in latest UK survey results

The UK Gambling Commission released its latest quarterly survey results for the period ending September 2012 with findings showing a decrease in respondents indulging in remote gambling (excluding National Lottery products) compared to last year bringing it to its lowest level since 2007, probably as a result of the ongoing economic recession.

The survey undertaken by ICM Research on behalf of the UK Gambling Commission presented respondents with two separate, but complementary, sets of questions, one measuring all types of gambling and the other monitoring participation solely in remote gambling.

The findings are based on the average results of four running quarters with 1000 respondents surveyed in each quarter.

Key findings in the Remote Gaming sector include:

– Over the year to September 2012, 12.4 percent of the 4 000 adults surveyed said they had participated in at least one form of remote gambling in the previous four weeks of which half of these participated exclusively in National Lottery products. The findings show a flat result compared to 2011 – 12.4 percent, 2010 – 11.1 percent, 2009 – 10.5 percent, 2008 – 9.7 percent, 2007 – 8.8 percent and 2006 – 7.2 percent.

– Excluding respondents who only play National Lottery products, 5.5 percent of the 4000 respondents had participated in remote gambling during the survey period, down .6 percent compared to 6.1 percent in 2011, 5.7 percent in 2010, 5.7 percent in 2009, 5.6 percent in 2008, 5.2 percent in 2007 and 5.1 percent in 2006.

– Overall 10.3 percent of respondents said they had remotely purchased tickets for the National Lottery draw in the previous four weeks (either only or in addition to other types of gambling activity).

– Those participating in remote gambling were more likely to be male than female, and aged between 18-24 (16.2 percent), 25-34 (19.8 percent) and 35-44 (18.3 percent) while the 55-64 age group was the least likely to participate.

– Remote gambling (excluding respondents who solely played the National Lottery) via a computer, laptop or handheld device proved most popular (4.6 percent), followed by gambling via mobile phone (2.1 percent) and interactive/digital TV (0.6 percent).

– The National Lottery remained the most popular remote gambling activity with 10.3 percent of respondents participating, followed by National Lottery scratchcards, betting and other lotteries.

– Remote gambling participation (excluding The National Lottery) was broken down to:

– Betting (horses, greyhound, football) 2.1 percent compared to 2.7 percent in 2011.

– Casino type games (e.g. roulette, blackjack) 0.7 percent (2011: 0.9 percent)

– Poker rooms/tournaments 0.5 percent (2011: 0.9 percent)

– Gaming machines (slots) 0.5 percent (2011: 0.7 percent)

– Bingo 0.5 percent (2011: 0.7 percent)

– Football Pools 0.4 percent (2011: 0.7 percent)

– Betting Exchange 0.4 percent (2011: 0.5 percent)

Additional stats can be viewed on http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/pdf/Survey%20data%20on%20gambling%20participation%20October%202012.pdf