The U.K.’s brick-and-mortar casino sector grew by more than a fifth last year as it finally returned to pre-Covid 19 pandemic levels according to figures released by the U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC), iGaming Business reported December 1.
Land-based gaming increased its total gross gambling yield (GGY) from 35 percent of the industry last year to 41 percent this year. This was despite 186 casinos closing by the end of March 2023; bringing the total number of betting locations to 5,995.
The more than 20 percent growth contained within the commission’s Gambling Industry Statistics included a 6.8 percent increase in GGY of the entire industry to £15.1. billion ($19.0 billion /€17.5 billion) for April 2022 to March 2023. This encompassed land-based and online licensed gaming.
Online casinos, referred to as “remote gambling,” was the largest revenue creator, with £6.5 billion for online casino, betting and bingo. This was a year-to-year increase of 2.8 percent but 13.3 percent compared to before the pandemic. New account registrations with RCBB (remote casinos betting & bingo) operators increased 10.6 percent to 36.4 million.
As in most European countries, online operators accounted for the most activity in the sector, or £4.0 billion in GGY, with more than three-quarters of that from online slots. GGY for remote sports betting was £2.3 billion, with soccer dominating at £1.1 billion.
But there was dramatic growth in land-based arcades, which generated GGY of £572.2 million, jumping 38.9 percent from last year and 32.8 percent compared to before the pandemic.
Meanwhile the UKGC launched its second consultation from the white paper to reform the 2005 Gambling Act. This will run for 12 weeks, until around February. Its topics will include socially responsible incentives (bonuses and free bets), and tools to give consumers more control over their gambling behavior.
Tim Miller, executive director of research and policy for the UKGC, commented, “The white paper set out that a top government priority is ensuring that gambling happens safely.”
He added,“We share this commitment and today’s consultations propose how we can deliver on it. We need as many people as possible to have their say on any potential changes to the rules operators must follow.”
In a related but separate development the commission has announced the unveiling of the Tell Us Something in Confidence platform that will allow people to report suspicious or criminal activity anonymously online.
The anonymous service can be used to report match-fixing and sports betting integrity, underage gambling, money laundering concerns, suspicious activity and unlicensed gambling or criminal activity.
Users will be able to upload information to support their allegations, including photos and documents, and follow up with emails or through the post office. They also have the option of saying they wished to be contacted about their information.
