UK Gambling Commission (
UKGC), has reminded licensed operators of their responsibilities and duties in protecting customers as the UK’s regional governments enforce tougher lockdown measures during the winter period.
Writing to betting leadership, McArthur warned operators that “no one should be in any doubt about how closely we are monitoring issues or our willingness to take further action if we deem that necessary”.
The regulator reiterated its prior concerns that at-risk consumers may feel isolated and vulnerable during lockdown, leading to drastic changes in their gambling habits.
“We know that some consumers, such as highly engaged gamblers who play a range of products, are likely to spend more time and money gambling and the fact that sport will continue during this lockdown will mean there are more opportunities for betting customers to gamble,” McArthur warned.
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The gambling prevalence rate in the UK is constantly growing, with studies showing that gambling among the youth is an increasing concern. According to statistics, the share of gambling participants in the UK between the ages of 16 and 24 in 2016 was 38.1%. In 2019, the share stood at 40.4%, showing that the same age group had increased its participation rate in just 3 years.
A study carried out by the UK Gambling Commission in 2020 reveals that the Covid-19 pandemic seriously impacted the youth of the country as schools were forced to close down during the peak of the coronavirus cases in the country. While the study covers the participation of young people in different legal forms of gambling, it also includes data on participation in age-restricted gambling activities.
Top 5 Global Gaming stories from 2020
By Hartley Henderson - exclusive to OSGA.com
A look back at the top gambling stories from around the world in 2020.
Around the world, 2020 was without question the most frustrating year for gambling in recent times. When the year started it appeared that the industry was set for huge advances, especially in Germany, Macau and Japan. But that all came crashing down, thanks to COVID-19. Instead the industry went through one of the most difficult years it ever faced. Instead of talking about growth and new markets, the most talked about topic was simply survival. Thus, the common theme in most of the top stories of 2020 will be related to the Coronavirus.