The gross gambling yield in the UK saw a growth of 29% during November 2020 to £524m. This is largely due to a massive recovery in the sports betting sector after the pandemic struck in March 2020.
Sports Betting 80% Market Uptake
Sports betting accounted for 80% of the market reaching £290.1m, with active players increased by 7% month-on-month, bets placed also increased by 12%.After a turbulent year in the UK due to lockdowns and all sporting event cancellations, casinos and betting shops all closing their doors, the industry took a huge hit. Resuming sporting events saw a significant rise in online bets helping the sector’s recovery. Also, results in fixtures took an unexpected turn when favourites Liverpool who was set to take the Premier League title were defeated by a shocking 7-2 loss Aston Villa.
Second Lockdown
After a second lockdown was announced, land-based casinos had to close their doors once again and saw online slots play increase by 10% month-to-month to £172.5m, the highest climb since May 2020.One of the biggest uptakes was the number of new active online accounts which hit an all-time high of 2.8m, the highest number seen since the beginning of the pandemic according to the UK Gambling Commission.Online casinos saw a rise in revenue of 11% to £362.7m, virtual sports 6% to £6.6m, and an increase in online poker reaching 5% to £8.3m.Service betting terminals saw an all-time high 0f 49% reaching £41.2m, machine revenue also reached a 2% rise to £88.5m.With the uncertainty of 2020 almost behind us, let’s hope 2021 will be even more productive for the UK’S gambling industry. Judging by the figures, the online gambling industry, after a wobbly start early on in the year has had a healthy uptake despite the setbacks of the pandemic.