UK decline in land-based gambling facilities, but steady profits elsewhere

There is evidence of a decline in land-based gambling in the UK, with fewer betting shops and bingo premises. However, overall UK gambling has risen.

In UK gambling news, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has revealed a decline in land-based gambling in the UK. The number of active betting shops fell also 2% in the year leading up to March 2015, the number of arcades dropped by 11.1%. There was a slight reduction in the number of B2 machines within betting shops, and a further decline in the overall number of bingo halls.

The UKGC noted that these declines occurred despite an overall rise of total gambling yield rose between the period of April 2014 and March 2015 – where the sum had been only €11.2 billion and between October 2014 to September 2015 – where the total sum was €12.6 billion.

Despite decline in land-based gambling, remote gambling remains steady

Remote Gambling, the sector including online sportsbooks in the UK, online casinos in the UK, and online bingo in UK, retained a 29% share of total gambling revenue. However, the stability was due to an increase in point-of-consumption tax, masking what a rise in activity.

The UKGC see the release of these figures as a step to understanding, and therefore better regulating, the UK gambling market. James Green, UKGC programme director: “Market trends and consumer participation research are key to shaping the Commission's regulatory policy to keep gambling in Britain safe for consumers, fair, and crime-free.”