’s latest report reveals a mixed bag of results for the gambling industry in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2023. The report, which compares the performance of the industry with the same quarter of the previous financial year, covers both online and in-person gambling activities of licensed betting operators (LBOs) across Britain.
The online market witnessed a significant growth with the total Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) in Q4 reaching £1.4 billion ($1.75 billion), marking a 5 percent increase from the previous year. This growth was accompanied by a 10 percent increase in the total number of bets and spins, reaching a record high of 24 billion. Consequently, the average monthly active accounts also saw a 2 percent rise.
A closer look at the online market reveals that real event betting GGY experienced a modest increase of 2 percent year-on-year, amounting to £565 million. However, the number of bets saw a decrease of 6 percent, while the average number of monthly active accounts only saw a marginal rise of 1 percent.
Online slots emerged as the major contributor to the overall growth of the online GGY. The slots GGY saw an impressive 11 percent increase during Q4, reaching £614 million. The number of spins also increased by 12 percent, and the average monthly active accounts rose by 7 percent to 4.2 million per month.
Contrary to the online market, the retail betting market experienced a slight decline. The LBO GGY decreased by 3 percent to £568 million, and the total number of bets and spins dropped by 1 percent to 3.3 billion.
In addition to the Q4 report, the also published its Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSCB) last month. The survey revealed that 48 percent of respondents had gambled in the last four weeks at the time of the survey. The most prominent demographic for gambling was men aged 45-54.
The Q4 report presents a dynamic picture of the gambling industry, with online platforms showing promising growth while retail betting sees a slight decline. As the industry continues to evolve, these trends offer valuable insights for stakeholders to strategize and adapt to the changing landscape.
Comparison to other jurisdictions
Analyzing the global gambling markets reveals a fascinating diversity in their performance and growth trajectories. The United Kingdom, with its mature and well-regulated market, leads the pack with an online gambling market worth around $12.5 billion. This dominance is further underscored by the UK’s leading position in gross gaming revenue among European countries.
In contrast, the United States presents a rapidly evolving market. The state-by-state rollout of sports betting and online gaming has propelled the US online gambling market to a worth of around $11.0 billion. However, the participation rate in online gambling is relatively low at 7 percent, compared to a global average of 17 percent.
Brazil, a newcomer to the global gambling scene, has shown remarkable growth with an online gambling market worth around $10 billion. Australia, known for its love of sports and betting, boasts a significant gambling market worth around $6.5 billion.
In Europe, Italy’s well-established gambling market is worth around $4.5 billion, ranking high in gross gaming revenue among European countries. Germany, France, and Spain also contribute significantly to the European gambling landscape with their substantial gambling markets.
While the UK gambling market shows a 5 percent growth in Q4 GGY, it’s crucial to note the unique market dynamics and trends in each country. The global popularity of online gambling, driven by innovation, deregulation in key markets, and the pandemic, is on the rise. However, the regulatory landscape varies across countries, influencing the growth and nature of their respective gambling markets. This analysis underscores the diversity and dynamism of the global gambling industry.
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