Online Gambling News from UK

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Two news items from the United Kingdom have featured prominently over the weekend. One is the setting up of an information hub to assist problem gamblers and the other is the Gambling Commission's latest survey report.

The Responsible Gambling Fund of the United Kingdom has commissioned the web development company Electric Putty to develop an online information hub that will provide data to assist those engaged in problem gambling alleviation. Specifically the information hub will target the following sectors. It will enable researchers to locate new articles, publications and current policy documents in the area of responsible gambling. Current and potential treatment providers will be able to search the hub for practice guidance, service evaluations, prevalence and problem gambling statistics. Responsible gambling counselors can use the information hub to refer online casino players to the correct and convenient treatment service centers. Policy makers, such as government functionaries, regulators and local authorities, will be able to search for the latest statistics and overviews of particular topics. Those funding problem gambling initiatives can ensure that their resources go to the correct organizations and be used most effectively. The Responsible Gambling Fund has set a target of February 2012 for the launch of this information hub.

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission's quarterly gambling participation survey results were released this week. The period covered was July 2011 to September 2011. The survey was conducted by ICM Research using two distinctive sets of questions on a national sample of 4,000 for each set. The first set of questions measured participation in all types of gambling activity. The second set focused on remote gambling using computers (online gambling), mobile phones and interactive television.

The key findings of the survey were as follows. The participation in at least one form of gambling in the relevant quarter increased marginally to 57.1% as compared to 55.5% in the same quarter in 2010. The comparative figure for 2009 was 55.2%. The most popular gambling activity was National Lottery tickets, which had a participation of 47.0%. Tickets for society or other good cause lotteries had a participation of 10.5%, betting on horse races 4.6% and private betting with family, friends or colleagues 3.2%. Those participating in gambling were more likely to be male and more likely to be aged over 45.

The participation in at least one form of remote gambling was 11.9%. Though this is much lower than the overall gambling figure it has been steadily increasing over the years. It was 7.2% in 2006 and 11.1% in 2010. In remote gambling as well more males participated than females but the most likely age group was lower at between 18 and 44. Remote gambling via a computer, laptop or handheld device was most popular, followed by gambling via mobile phones and then by interactive television.

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