Research firms Toluna and Harris Interactive have released an extensive report, “State of the Gambling Market 2021: U.K. & U.S.”
Researchers conducted 4,248 interviews the first week of May, equally divided between the United Kingdom and the United States, looking at interests and attitudes in three main areas: the impact of Covid-19, the U.K. review of the Gambling Act 2005 and the spread of sports betting in the U.S.
Data found sports betting most popular in the U.K., with casino games topping the list in the U.S.
U.K. bettors favor European football and horseracing, while U.S. bettors prefer basketball and NFL. Boxing has a strong future in both markets, according to the study.
Among casino players, slots dominate, but blackjack, roulette and poker still attract interest. Gambling spend is higher in the U.S., but spending increased on both sides of the pond during the pandemic.
The U.K. approached reopening brick-and-mortar locations with more caution than in the U.S. In the U.K. only 16 percent feel comfortable returning to casinos and sportsbooks. But in the U.S. the figure is 37 percent.
When it comes to responsible gambling, 81 percent of U.S. participants say it’s important to keep in mind when selecting a provider, but only 68 percent felt that way in the U.K. In the U.K., 10 percent of respondents believe they might gamble too much but in the U.S. the figure is 25 percent.
When it comes to advertising, 67 percent of people in both countries feel such ads encourage excessive gambling, with even more agreeing children should not be exposed to these ads. A majority favor restrictions on gambling ads.
