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Online Gambling Growing in the UK

29 Sep 2007

Gamblers in Great Britain are moving more towards betting on the Internet according to a study conducted on behalf of the Gambling Commission. The survey, done by the National Center for Social Research, indicates that online betting and betting exchanges now account for 8 percent of all gambling activities in the country. A similar study made in 1999 had shown no apparent betting activity via the Internet.

Great Britain’s largest bookmaker, Ladbrokes, handled more than £607 million in the first half of this year via its online “eGaming” department, which was only created in 1999. The Internet betting exchange Betfair has also witnessed phenomenal levels of business since its launch in June 2001, with annual revenues — largely commission payments — surpassing £140 million a year.

Reasons for the growth of Internet betting include the better value that can be gained compared to many traditional betting methods, and the ability to gamble from the comfort of one’s home or office. Advances in online security and greater reliability of sites have also promoted growth.

In addition to revealing the different wagering activities of the population, the study suggested fears of a growth in irresponsible betting appear to be unfounded, with 0.6 percent of the adult population classifying themselves as problem gamblers - a figure similar to that of 1999. The findings also revealed no real increase in the number of people participating in some form of gambling, with 68 percent of the population (32 million) having gambled in the last year, compared with 72 percent (33 million) in 1999.

The publication of the survey coincides with the arrival of the government’s Gambling Act and the establishment of a new Gambling Commission, which is responsible for regulating betting in the United Kingdom. The key aims for the new body include ensuring gambling is conducted fairly and openly, protecting the vulnerable, and keeping crime out of the industry.

(Source)