The U.K. Gambling Commission commissioned a survey on changes in betting habits during the Covid-19 pandemic. A poll of 8,000 adults found that esports grew in popularity, but mobile betting flatlined, with 50.3 percent gambling via cell phone, a figure equal to 2019.
The most popular mobile wager was for football, where 62.8 percent of bettors acknowledged using smartphones. More than 43 percent of online lottery sales were for the National Lottery, with 34.2 percent for charitable lotteries.
In-play bets, on any sport, accounted for 74 percent of all wagers online, according to iGaming Business. Some 45 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds liked in-play bets.
The population between 18 and 34 used smartphones for bets, topping any other demographic, with only 14 percent coming from those 65 and older.
Laptop usage for bets grew to 40 percent in 2020. Laptop wagers was more common in those 18 to 24. Those aged 65 and over were most likely to bet with desktop PCs.
Of those polled, 96 percent placed a bet at home. Bets while commuting or at the office, declined some. Despite a lack of live sporting events, betting at sports and racing venues rose as did wagers at pubs. Esports betting rose from 6 to 9.2. percent.
Males proved more likely to bet on esports, representing 14 percent of gamblers.
