What Brits Play According To Region - UK Report
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We all know that the British are avid punters. But do their gaming preferences differ according to the region they live in? Let’s see what people enjoy playing the most in each UK area!
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Gambling Patterns Cross The Country
Nowadays, we are not only talking about land-based gambling but also online gambling. Thousands of options are available on the market, tailored to each player’s taste. But why do they differ according to the region? Come along to explore that!
Common betting behaviours
The ‘Gambling Participation in 2018’ survey, conducted by the UKGC, showed that 46% of adults participate in at least one gambling activity over a period of four weeks. Moreover, a whopping 52% of people gamble at least once a week.
When it comes to demographics, middle-aged individuals (45-64 years old) seem to be the most active in this field.
And in terms of their activities, it looks like the National Lottery is a top favourite, followed by sports betting, slot machines, bingo and casino games (e.g. Poker, Blackjack, Roulette etc.).
The younger population (18-24 years old) prefers the online environment over regular gambling. On average, these bettors have three accounts with online gambling operators.
2023 Gambling Statistics in the UK
According to surveys done in 2023, it turns out that the number of UK adults who gamble monthly has decreased since 2018.
At the moment, only 43% of the adult population gamble over a period of four weeks.
Why do Brits gamble?
- Almost 45% of them said they strike for victory when playing
- 29% stated that they play solely for relaxation purposes or as a hobby
- There are also people who view gambling as a social activity
So, it is fair to say that this widely spread phenomenon plays an important part in the country’s popular culture. And, of course, like any other social aspect, gambling behaviours and preferences vary according to each UK region.
What Do English and Welsh Punters Prefer?
Scratchcards and the lottery hold the top places in England. However, in terms of games, slots win the popularity crown. Players are not only drawn to traditional slot machines, but they are also interested in online slot casinos.
It is reasonably expected that England has the largest number of active punters in the country. The UKGC research found that 65% of English adults engage in betting activities regularly. And there is no doubt about that, considering the high volume of land-based casinos, betting shops and bingo halls.
Why do Brits enjoy playing online slots?
Well, due to the high competition in the industry, online casinos are doing their best to gain new customers and retain existing ones through a variety of methods, such as bonuses.
These special promotions include numerous incentives, such as free spins, which allow players to try out new platforms and games.
Sports betting takes the lead
In Wales, over 50% of the population has been reported to gamble. The Welsh people are huge sports enthusiasts and naturally more inclined towards sports betting.
They enjoy placing wagers on rugby, soccer, tennis or horse-racing events. Yet, they don’t hold back from slots, or National Lottery draws either.
Common Gambling Types in Scotland and Northern Ireland
The Scots beat the gambling record nationwide, with more than 68% of the population participating in recreational gambling activities. They are also known to be excellent strategists who will accept any challenge.
Therefore, there is no wonder why they prefer table games. Out of those, Blackjack and Poker seem to be the most popular.
Online casinos have plenty of Blackjack games from lobbies like Evolution, Ezugi or Pragmatic Play. Their stake usually starts at £2, but you can try Blackjack bonuses to play with additional funds instead of your own.
Is Bingo the new thing for Irish punters?
In Northern Ireland, 67% of the population gambles at least once a year, with most punters aged between 25 and 44. And when it comes to gambling categories, the attention is divided between sports betting, lottery and Slots.
In the Irish gambler’s preferences, Bingo comes right after Slots. In the search for an explanation, we can say that the numerous bingo casinos that have recently launched on the market might be responsible for the game’s increase in popularity.
Are Things Different in Terms of Online Gambling?
It is no secret that online gambling sites have taken over the industry and have already outnumbered land-based casinos. The number of bingo halls and betting shops keeps decreasing, with more facilities closing yearly.
Based on recent studies updated in 2022, it turns out that at the moment, there are roughly 140 brick-and-mortar casinos operating in the UK. The number of online casinos is significantly bigger since over 175 gambling websites are currently operating in the UK.
Moreover, according to the BBC, the majority of revenues in the gambling industry come from the online sector. Naturally, this leads us to believe that British players’ preferences are also shifting in that direction.
In 2022, the UK’s online betting industry has generated over £16.41 billion. At the same time, financial experts estimate that the British online gambling sector will generate over £153 billion by 2028.
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Know your limits
It’s essential to know your limits while betting online and control your spending and playing time. To ensure you gamble in a safe environment, we suggest playing only at licensed casinos, which offer multiple responsible gaming tools.
Responsible gambling tools players can use to stay in control
- Deposit limits – being able to set a deposit cap
- Loss limits – setting a cap on your losses
- Time out periods – taking a break from gambling up to 6 weeks
- Self-exclusion option – taking a more extended break from gambling of at least 6 months
- Reality check – setting a pop-up announcement to let you know how much time you have spent wagering
- Account closure – closing your account to avoid gambling addiction
- GAMBAN – a special app that helps you block betting websites
How Will Gambling Behaviour Evolve?
As we’ve seen before, the gambling environment has changed drastically and will continue to do so in the future. Although there are regions in which some betting activities are preferred over others, you shouldn’t stick to stereotypes!
No matter where you are from, you can try out whatever game you want. We are here to list some facts and give you helpful advice, but only you know what suits you.