There was a time when gambling in the UK was very much restricted to the elite. Thankfully that is certainly not the case today. The casinos can be found in most major UK cities are now more accessible. You can even try your hand at winning on a slot machine when you go to the pub for a drink!
There is little doubt that the way we view gambling and gaming in the UK has changed. Having a bet on the horses or a taking a punt on the football is now widely accepted across society.
The relaxation of gambling laws in the UK, in the early 2000s, is one reason why so many people are now able to bet and gamble. But it’s the access to online gaming that has really played a major part in the growth in popularity of the UK Casino industry across the board.
Yes, mobile gambling has turned into a major trend across the entire online gambling industry, and the UK nonetheless. These online casinos are normally released as an extension of the desktop version; nowadays, online casino developers opt for a new instant-play website format, HTML5. As this regulator is one of the strongest in the industry, holding a UK license is a guarantee that an online casino will meet the highest standards of security and fair play. Game Selection: The quality and quantity of games available at an online casino is crucial to its success. There is something unique about the online casino industry in the UK. Namely a rule made by the British Gaming Commission. These rules aim to make online gambling practices safer for players, no matter what age range they are. Every operator in the UK must confirm the age and identity of the customer in the less than 72 hours previously permitted.
We are going to take a look at how online gaming has helped to revolutionise the UK casino industry.
The Availability Of Online Gambling
You only need to switch on the TV in the UK to see how many online gambling opportunities are now available. There are several advertisements around for the top brands. It does not matter what type of gaming you prefer, from bingo to slots and table games to live dealer options, you can find them on legal UK gambling sites.
This growing availability of online gambling has led to a more diverse gambling population. There are now far more recreational players and more women are participating in the online fun and excitement.
The relaxation of gambling laws has led to a growth in the number of online casinos and sportsbooks which are fully regulated and provide a safe environment for play.
The Overall Effect On Gambling
Initially, it was thought that the greater the increase in online gambling, the steeper the decrease in visits to real-world casinos. This proved not to be the case. If anything, interest in gambling overall has been a good thing for the casinos.
Many of them have relaxed membership and dress code, making them far more accessible to everyone. A lot of the big casino brands also link their online and in house bonus schemes. So the likes of Mecca Bingo offer linked games online and in their bingo halls. Anybody can win, no matter where they are playing.
The increased accessibility to gambling has also turned it into a socially acceptable, widely used form of entertainment. A visit to the casino is now a popular activity for birthday celebrations and stag and hen parties.
It’s fine to sit at home and have a few spins on the slots. You may even want to improve your poker game in peace and quiet. But ultimately, if you want real casino action, you often have to go to a real casino.
Since the UK gambling regulations were relaxed the online gaming industry has grown significantly. This increased familiarisation with gambling has led to a growth in the UK Casino industry overall.
How Much Is Gambling Worth In The UK?
It shouldn’t come as any surprise that the gambling industry in the UK is worth a small fortune. Between October 2018 and September 2019 the total gross gambling yield (GGY) of the gambling industry in Great Britain was a staggering £14.3 billion. Nearly £4 billion of that figure was made up of lotteries!
GGY, or the Gross Gambling Yield is the amount retained by gambling operators after the payment of winnings but before the deduction of operation costs. Those costs include rent, rates, taxes, overheads, employee deductions, salaries etc…basically everything you need to run a business.
In the same period, land-based casinos had a GGY of £1.1 billion. However, it’s online counterpart was nearly triple that on £3.3 billion. A lot of the difference has to do with location. If you don’t live near a casino it’s so much easier to just jump online and play a few games.
However, you prefer to visit a casino, there are games with budgets to suit everybody. There are also plenty of things to remember. Only spend what you can afford. Don’t chase your losses. Play to have fun.
Online casino is one of the most lucrative industries in the UK and looks to continue to be growing year on year.
The UK Gambling Commission found that the remote gambling sector, which included betting and bingo claimed a 38.8% market share of the national gambling revenue. This surpassed that of the National Lottery at 20.6% and land-based casinos at only 7.4%. This figure also increased from the previous two years, showing that online casino was leading the charge when it came to utilising technology and reflecting customer interest to give players what they wanted. So, how else is the online casino industry growing?
Casino Industry News
5G Technology
The development of 5G networks in the UK has enabled greater technology for online casinos – with cities ranging from Birmingham to Bradford, Slough to Sunderland gaining the tech by the end of 2019. Even Glastonbury had 5G for areas of the festival.
The technology opens scope for the online casino industry to utilise some of the existing facets of its technology. For instance, online roulette already offers a live version, wherein the player sees the dealer as they play. This technology could be further boosted through the faster speeds and larger bandwidth ushered in by 5G.
Live streaming has already shown how lucrative it has been for eSports and other avenues of the gaming industry. With better graphics being able to work on 5G, especially when playing on mobile, players will be able to have a more immersive experience as they might with other, more intensive forms of gaming.
Payment Methods
The gambling industry is one of the first and most pioneering to offer alternative ways of making payments. As well as bank transfer and PayPal, other methods such as Neteller and Skrill have been rolled out across various online casinos. This shows a commitment to how customers might want to interact with their finances in the future.
Monzo’s rise and the ability to manage money better with the app and track finances has helped revolutionise how people bank, and many people have a land-based bank and a digital bank. Alternative ways of payment, such as using e-wallets, could help usher in a truly digital way of connecting with finances while players engage with an online casino. This matters to customers as it is symbolic of the company showing their move towards the future. Industries that lag behind don’t give customers hope that they can continue to create a modern experience for them.
Online Uk Casino
The UK online casino industry is one of the few that can confidently suggest that their predicted profits in the next few years are on track. Technology and customer demand has led the industry to begin thinking of new ways to connect with potential customers and existing audiences. Whether this is through new ways of engaging with the game, playing, or through the tertiary factors that go into a player’s online casino experience.