Insights Gambling Commission publishes data showing impact of Covid-19 on gambling behaviour in October 2020

The Gambling Commission has published further data showing how the renewed tightening of Covid-19 lockdown measures has impacted gambling behaviour in Great Britain. The data reflects the period between March and October 2020 inclusive, and covers both online and in-person gambling with data from Licensed Betting Operators (LBOs) found on Britain’s high streets.

The latest data for October shows:

  • the online market grew, with a month-on-month increase of 29% in gross gambling yield (GGY), and a 7% increase in active accounts; the main driver for this was real event betting, which saw 53% growth in GGY; although there were increases in both the number of bets (up by 12%) and the number of active players (up by 7%), the main driver for the growth appears to be an increase in operator margins;
  • the number of online slots sessions lasting longer than an hour increased by 12% (to 2.2 million) in October from September, although this rise was at the same rate as the increase in overall sessions; the average session length remains steady at 21 minutes with around 8% of all sessions lasting more than one hour; and
  • licensed betting operators also experienced month on month growth across some metrics, with increases of 1% in bets/spins placed and 9% in GGY (to £204 million) likely to be impacted by the same sporting results.

The Commission says that gambling behaviours have continued to evolve as the country responds to varying levels of restrictions, and it will remain vigilant in light of new national lockdowns announced in recent weeks.

The Commission recently wrote to operators to remind them of the guidance it initially issued in May 2020 to online operators setting out the need for improved affordability checks, the prevention of reverse withdrawals and restrictions on bonus offers. This was reinforced for land-based premises in June 2020 when they were allowed to reopen.

The Commission continues to track Covid-19 related risk by:

  • assessing the impact of the strengthened guidance issued to operators;
  • collecting and publishing the data being gathered;
  • supporting the industry as land-based premises begin to open; and
  • where evidence identifies additional risks faced by consumers, taking further action to protect consumers.

To read the Commission’s press release in full and for links to relevant documents, click here.