While retail betting locations in the UK continue to plummet, the good news for the gambling industry is that online betting continues to rise. The millions of UK smartphone and mobile device users have helped to transform the gambling industry into one of convenience, with consumers able to access their favourite operators and markets when it suits them.

The lack of restraints that physical premises have means that there are many great online operators to choose from, with many specialising in specific markets, offering a variety of payment methods, and some instant withdrawal casino options are also available. Online gambling expert Matteo Farina discusses the benefits of being able to choose fast and secure payment methods, with many allowing funds to be transferred within the same day.

This excellent level of choice has helped the online betting market grow all over the world, and UK operators have reported a rise of 7% on their year-on-year gross gambling yield (GGY), growing to £1.45 billion in the three months leading to March. Growth across total bets and spins was up by 5%, and the number of active accounts also showed a 2% improvement, rising to 13.5 million.

Slots remain the most popular online casino game, generating a GGY of £689 million, an 11% year-on-year rise. Spin numbers for slot machines also grew to 23.4 billion, representing a rise of 6%.

Despite already being the most popular online gaming option, slots also enjoyed a 6% year-on-year increase in monthly average users, reaching a new record high of 4.5 million people. The length of game sessions also increased, with sessions lasting more than 1 hour growing by 5%.

Technological developments have seen the quality of slot games improve in recent years, with developers able to make the most of emerging technologies and high-speed internet connections to improve gameplay without the risk of lagging.

Statistics now show that 94% of UK consumers owned a smartphone in 2024, with around 99% aged between 16 and 54. 92% of smartphone users have access to 4G and 5G connections, with 50% being able to access 5G regularly. This figure will rise as the rollout continues.

The convenience of being able to access dedicated betting sites and apps via a smartphone, and the improving quality, has resulted in a 3% drop in retail betting GGY. The number of retail betting locations has declined in recent years, with operators choosing to focus on flagship stores in prime locations over volume.

These locations still enjoy regular and passing trade, but online betting facilities give consumers greater power over what they can bet on and when they can bet. Online betting accounts can also provide players with data about their betting habits, with the best operators using this information to provide tailored gaming experiences and offers.

The online gambling industry looks set to continue to grow, with operators dedicating a lot of time and effort to providing the most immersive gaming experiences.

Joe
Latest posts by Joe (see all)
Published On