Number of British Players Drops by 2% in 2013

Overall gambling in the UK has seen a slight drop, but betting shops and online casinos are still popular.

According to a recent report issued by the British Gambling Commission, UK residents were less interested in casino games and betting in 2013. A study entitled “Gambling participation: activities and mode of access” shows that the number of gamblers has dropped by 2%.

Frequency of gambling has also dropped, as more gamblers claim to play once a month or less than once a week, while the number of those who gamble on a weekly basis has dropped. As expected, men are more likely to play casino games or bet on sports in United Kingdom. About 60% of male respondents and just 50% of the women said they participated in such activities over the previous four weeks.

Online gambling gains terrain

The study also shows that land-based casinos are losing clients to online gambling sites, but with betting it’s a whole different thing, as 73% of respondents said they only place wagers in person.

However, the internet casino industry may soon be facing changes, as authorities are considering introducing new British gambling laws that will require offshore companies to apply for licenses and pay taxes.

The National Lottery is still a top favorite among British gamblers, even though the number of players buying lottery tickets has dropped from 46% to 43%.