At the end of last month the UK Gambling Commission published the findings of ICM Research on two separate sets of questions. The omnibus surveys were commissioned by the Gambling Commission to measure the participation in all types of gambling activity, including remote means such as computer, mobile phone and interactive/digital television, and to measure participation in remote forms of gambling.

Over the year to March 2010 (an average of figures for June, September and December 2009 and March 2010), over half (54.7%) the 8,000 adults surveyed said they had participated in at least one form of gambling activity in the previous four weeks. This figure was slightly down from the 55.2% for the 2009 calendar year. However, remote gambling activity continued its steady but slow rise, reaching 10.7% of the 8,000 adults surveyed, up from 10.5% for the calendar year 2009. In 2006 the figure was 7.2%, in 2007 it was 8.8% and in 2008 it was 9.7%.

The growth in remote gambling is mainly due to an increase in online betting on the National Lottery. Remote gambling via a computer, laptop or handheld device was most popular (9.4% of all respondents), followed by gambling via mobile phone (2.8%) and interactive/digital TV (1.7%). Overall the most popular form of gambling activity, by remote means or otherwise, was the purchase of National Lottery tickets and scratchcards. Those participating in gambling were more likely to be male than female, and were more likely to be aged over 45. Those participating in remote gambling were more likely to be male than female, and were more likely to be aged 18-44.

The number of respondents who had engaged in betting on table games at a casino was only 0.9%, unchanged from the 2009 figure. Remote betting on all forms of gambling, excluding lotteries, poker rooms and sports betting, was 1% or under. In the year to March 2010, remote sports betting activity reached 2.7%, poker rooms 1.7% and National Lottery tickets 8.5%. Other lotteries and National Lottery scratchcards were 2% and 2.4% respectively. Only the remote purchase of lottery tickets saw a slight increase in gambling activity, all other forms of remote gambling saw no growth or a small decline.

The survey data on gambling participation continues to show that there is no rapid expansion of gambling activity in the UK in spite of increasing opportunities. Even the ‘gambling crack cocaine’ of slot machines, fruit machines and FOBTs at bookmakers have all experienced a decline in activity for the year to March 2010. If gambling on National Lottery products and on society or other good cause lotteries is excluded, then only 3.5% or less of the adults surveyed participated in gambling activities in the previous four weeks. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. (E-05.04.10)

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