UKGC data reveals online gambling dipped since Covid-19

The latest data released from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has continued to highlight the changes in UK betting habits since the start of the first Covid-19 lockdown March 2020.

The latest data, which covers the final quarter of 2021, shows that gross gambling yield (GGY) slid 1% in Q4 quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) from Q3 2021 at £1.2bn

Meanwhile, the overall number of total bets/spins was down 2%, although monthly active accounts increased 5%.

Slots GGY decreased 5% QoQ to just over £541m, with the number of spins decreasing 2% to 7.9 million between Q3 and Q4 2021.

The average session length on online slots was 18 minutes, while the UKGC stated that the number of sessions lasting over an hour was 7%.

The UKGC wrote: “We recognise that the country is now entering a different phase as we adjust to life after a series of restrictions.

“We continue to expect extra vigilance from operators as consumers are impacted in different ways by the circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the wider economic environment.

“Many people will still feel vulnerable as a result of the length of the pandemic period, further uncertainty about their personal or financial circumstances or readjusting budgets and time as life returns to normal with a wider set of finance drivers.”

Betting shop GGY increased by 3% QoQ to £551m, although the total bets and spins declined to 3.2 billion.

The UKGC urged operators to continue to follow the strengthened guidelines that were introduced during the first lockdown and to keep track of customer data, interact directly when triggers are reached and continue with affordability checks.