Latest News

UK Gambling Growth Over the Past Decade

Published

11 months ago

June 27, 2024

Today’s gambling market in the United Kingdom looks vastly different than it did ten years ago. In addition to an explosion in revenue, there has also been a significant shift in how and where people gamble, thanks to myriad online options.

This article will explore the UK’s gambling industry today and the influential elements that skyrocketed its growth in the past decade.

The UK Gambling Industry Today

The Gambling Commission regulates the UK gambling market; it licences land-based and remote gaming and ensures regulations are followed. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the UK’s gross gambling yield (GGY) was £15.1 billion – a staggering increase from £6.3 billion a decade ago.

This revenue stems from various forms of gambling, including lotteries, casinos, slot machines, bingo halls, and online gaming. Of the £15.1 billion, £4.2 billion was generated through lottery gaming, £4.5 billion through land-based gambling, and £6.5 billion through remote gaming, including online casinos, sportsbooks, and bingo platforms.

Factors Influencing the Industry’s Growth

Several factors propelled the significant rise in revenue from £6.3 billion to £15.1 billion, with the three most influential outlined below.

Relaxed Advertising Guidelines

The growth of the UK gambling market is closely linked to the changes in regulations surrounding gambling advertising in the 2005 Gambling Act. The act came into effect two years later, allowing gambling companies to advertise all forms of gaming as long as they were licenced and regulated.

Since 2007, the presence of ads promoting gambling has steadily increased. This increase, unsurprisingly, has been linked to a rise in individual gambling, contributing to the spectacular growth the UK gambling industry has seen.

Growth of Online Gambling

Online gambling, iGaming, remote gambling, and the many other names it goes by has undoubtedly fuelled the UK’s gambling growth. In 2024, online gambling is projected to bring in £11 billion, making it the second-largest iGaming market in the world. It’s just behind the US market, which is set to earn £18.41 billion in 2024.

Online gaming has increased in popularity for a number of reasons, including advertising regulations, but also thanks to its convenience and accessibility. It’s made classic types of gambling, like casino table games, slot games, and sports betting, available right at a person’s fingertips from anywhere at any time as long as they have a device and an internet connection.

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Adding to this appeal are incentives for signing up with online casinos or placing wagers at them, which entice players to find the best first deposit bonus available or to earn additional bonuses for continued playing.

Variety of Gaming Options

The online gaming marketplace is continuously growing, pumping out exciting new games and gambling platforms. Whether they’re looking to play live dealer poker, slots, or bingo, punters have a vast selection of online options to choose from. In addition, there is the continued draw of land-based gambling.

Between online platforms and land-based gambling venues, there is more variety in the market than ever before. This variety means that there are more options to suit a wide range of betting preferences, appealing to more people than the market did ten years ago.

The UK Gambling Industry’s Future

While the industry has been growing, it’s also faced increasing concern from industry experts and the general public around problem gambling, a concern which is starting to be reflected in gambling laws. Furthermore, the influence of tech developments like AI will likely impact the industry in many ways.

Changing Online Gambling Regulations

In September 2024, new restrictions on online slot game wagering will come into effect. For those under 25, the maximum wager they’ll be able to make is £2 per spin; for those 25 and older, the maximum will be £5. The intention is to reduce problem gambling associated with the addictive nature of slot games.

Stricter Ad Regulations

The increase in gambling ads since the Gambling Act came into effect has been criticised for its harmful effects, with Dr Matt Gaskell of the NHS Northern Gambling Service stating, “The evidence is clear that gambling advertising drives consumption, which increases harm.”

While the ads themselves do have some restrictions through the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), such as limiting an ad’s appeal to those under 18 years old and prohibiting the promotion of anti-social or harmful gambling behaviour, many have felt they aren’t enough.

Adding to these concerns is the tightening of ad regulations by other countries like Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. Some of these countries have clamped down on gambling ads by restricting marketing tactics such as athlete or celebrity endorsements, while others have eliminated gambling ads altogether. The regulations around gambling ads in the UK have become a hotly debated issue and will likely lead to significant changes to the nation’s gambling advertisements.

AI Integrations

The development of AI has the potential to significantly influence the gambling industry, though it may be too early to know how AI will impact it in the long term. AI will undoubtedly enhance the gameplay experience, which has raised concerns about increasing problem gambling. However, integrating AI may also help curb problem gambling by alerting players and online platforms of potentially harmful gambling behaviour and taking action by temporarily restricting access to games.

Conclusion

In the last ten years, the UK gambling market has exploded in profitability and gambling options. It has benefited from the regulation changes of the Gambling Act of 2005, the rise of online gambling, and the increase of gambling options both online and at physical locations. All of this has added up to a multi-billion-dollar industry.

However, concerns about public health have grown in relation to gambling, and it’s more than likely that the UK will see a tightening of regulations in the years to come and a focus on gambler health.

Related Topics:Growth Latest-News online gambling UK Gambling

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AGCO issues penalties of $151,000 against Great Canadian Entertainment for alleged age verification failures

Published

22 minutes ago

May 12, 2025

George Miller

AGCO issues penalties of $151,000 against Great Canadian Entertainment for alleged age verification failures

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued $151,000 in penalties to Great Canadian Entertainment for allegedly failing to prevent minors from accessing gambling on multiple occasions at three Toronto-area casinos.

As part of its investigation, the AGCO reviewed four separate incidents in which minors allegedly gained access to the casino floors and in which some of these minors participated in gambling activities – two cases at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, and one at each of Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort.

The AGCO is committed to ensuring casinos meet Ontario’s high standards of harm reduction and responsible gambling. The AGCO’s Standards require operators to ensure only eligible individuals are permitted into a gambling site and strictly prohibit access to anyone under 19 years of age (except in the course of employment). The Standards also mandate that casino employees have the necessary competence, skills, experience and training to effectively carry out their duties, including age verification.

This enforcement action underscores the AGCO’s dedication to protecting youth and other vulnerable individuals.

A casino operator served with an Order of Monetary Penalty by the AGCO Registrar has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.

“Ontario casino operators have an obligation to ensure minors are not able to access casino floors or activities such as slot machines or table games. The AGCO will continue to monitor and hold all casino operators accountable for fulfilling this important role.” – Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO.

Latest News

Casino Kings Knocks Out Partnership with Boxing Powerhouse BoxNation

Published

3 days ago

May 9, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

Two titans of entertainment are joining forces! UK-licensed casino and sportsbook, Casino Kings, and the legendary boxing platform, BoxNation, have announced a dynamic new partnership, set to deliver a knockout blow of exclusive content, promotions and responsible betting experiences for fans. Becoming their official boxing betting partner, Casino Kings is stepping into the ring with one of the most respected names in the fight game, promising fans a ringside seat to even better betting.

This isn’t just a bell ringing for another sponsorship deal; it’s a knockout partnership designed to bring you closer to the action than ever before. Casino Kings branding will be engrained into the boxing industry, prominent across BoxNation’s popular YouTube channel through branding and content, where the biggest names and personalities in boxing step into the spotlight for exclusive interviews.

For you savvy fight fans, Casino Kings will be rolling out a series of exclusive offers, adding even more thrill to 2025’s already-explosive boxing schedule. And here’s a great way to kick things off: Casino Kings is welcoming new members with a £35 Free Bet! Just deposit a minimum of £10 and place bets of £10 or more to grab yours. Don’t miss out!

Given BoxNation’s powerful presence in the boxing arena and Casino Kings’ reputation as a premier UK online casino and sports betting platform, this partnership is bound to be a knockout you won’t want to miss.

“We’re buzzing to partner with BoxNation—this really puts Casino Kings in the heart of the action.” Says Jack Dunn, COO of Casino Kings. “The team have been absolutely brilliant, and we’re excited to get stuck into some top-tier behind-the-scenes boxing content for the fans!”

“BoxNation is delighted to announce our partnership with Casino Kings. Casino Kings has a great reputation for delivering sports and entertainment options for users. We look forward to working together with Casino Kings to create a safe and enjoyable experience for fans.” adds Umar Ahmed, BoxNation Channel Lead.

Want to be the first to know? Follow Casino Kings and BoxNation on social media now for instant updates, special offers, and all the ringside action!

About BoxNation:

BoxNation is a dedicated boxing news and media outlet, providing fans exclusive interviews and behind the content featuring the boxing’s biggest names and personalities. With over 95k YouTube subscribers and 50 million plus views, BoxNation is delivering the best boxing content from all around the world. To find out more about BoxNation, visit: www.youtube.com/@BoxNationOfficial

About Casino Kings:

Casino Kings isn’t just another UK-licensed online casino and sportsbook – it’s a platform that puts player well-being first. Deeply committed to responsible gambling, they offer a secure environment equipped with robust tools to empower users to manage their play effectively. Beyond this dedication, Casino Kings delivers consistently fair and competitive odds across a thrilling selection of sports. Plus, the king casino team consistently provides their players with the best welcome bonuses, weekly promotions, daily offers, and much more!

Let’s keep the fun in the game. Please remember to gamble responsibly. 18+ only. For more information, visit: www.gambleaware.org.

Latest News

Grand View Research: Global Sports Betting Market Size is Estimated to Reach USD 187.39 Billion by 2030

Published

3 days ago

May 9, 2025

Niji Narayan

The global online gambling market size is estimated to reach USD 153.57 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 11.9% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research.

Sports Betting Market Report Highlights:

• The offline segment accounts for a significant revenue share in the sports betting industry in 2024, particularly in regions with a mature gambling infrastructure such as Europe and Australia.

• Based on the sports type football segment dominated the sports betting market, holding the largest share due to its vast international fan base and the continuous presence of domestic and international tournaments.

• Live/In-Play Betting emerged as the leading segment in the sports betting market in 2024, thanks to its real-time and interactive nature.

• Europe sports betting market accounts for the largest revenue share of around 48% in 2024. The sports betting market in Europe is continually evolving, bolstered by established regulations in several countries and increasing digital engagement.

The growth of the global sports betting market is driven by the proliferation of internet infrastructure and evolving regulatory landscape of the entire gambling industry across the world. In addition, the increase in the number of sports events and leagues worldwide such as the NFL, FIFA World Cup, Carabao Cup, and UEFA Europa League has positively influenced the growth of the market. Furthermore, an increase in disposable income and the rising usage of AI and blockchain technologies to improve the prediction algorithms in betting software are likely to boost the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Esports, which is an organized, multiplayer video game competition, played by professional players, individuals, or teams, has gained massive popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and witnessed a surge in the number of events worldwide. Market players are utilizing the increased number of esports events to offer an opportunity for their customers to bet on such esports competitions and earn extra income. The surge in online sports events backed up by a rise in the number of esports tournaments offers stable growth opportunities for the betting industry. For instance, according to the report by the UK Gambling Commission, there was a huge 2922% year-on-year rise in esports betting revenue from March 2019 to March 2020.