Uk Gambling Industry Profits
Thanks to its beneficial tax regime and the rapid growth of online gaming, the UK is one of the most important markets in the world for the gambling, betting, and lottery sector. With the historic focus of attraction for industry operators, the country has the highest rate of active players and ranks third in terms of revenue, behind only China (with Macao leading) and the U.S. (Nevada).
UK Gambling Market Characteristics
Gambling Industry Definition
The UK gambling industry is widely regarded as one that is both profitable and secure. The United Kingdom Gambling Commission has the merit of maintaining a level playing field by regulating the. Fifty-one percent of those people gambling online did so using a mobile device of some sort. That’s up from 43 percent in 2016. It’s aneight-percentage-point increase, and it’s a significant score for mobile casino developers. Phones provide a portable platform for on-the-go gaming, allowing users to play from anywhere they like. Gambling & Betting Activities in the UK industry outlook (2020-2025) poll Average industry growth 2015-2020: x.x lock Purchase this report or a membership to unlock the average company profit margin for this industry.
The market includes all activities related to gambling, lotteries, and betting (CNAE: 9200). This industry, in addition to providing the service itself, encompasses the manufacture and distribution of a wide range of associated products and equipment goods.
Gambling Market size in the UK
Official industry figures and statistics
The UK Gambling Commission publishes twice a year (in May and November) official statistics on developments in the gambling, lottery, and betting sector in the country. It provides the latest information on each subsector, including online gaming services as well. In 2019 the gambling sector in the UK generated revenue of £14.36 billion, a decrease of 0.3% over the previous year.
Online gambling keeps the leading position as a subsector within the industry, accounting for 37% of total turnover. The offline betting sector is responsible for generating more than 22% of the market’s turnover. National Lottery is also of special importance in terms of revenue, generating 21% of the total turnover of the sector. The rest of the income is obtained by casinos, bingo establishments and amusement arcades in general.
Meanwhile, the number of establishments with sector-related activities has been declining since 2013. However, the UK remains a mature market. Thus, in March 2019, there were 10,761 establishments of licensed operators, 3.2% less compared to data from March 2018. In addition to licensed premises, there are a total of 51,541 establishments where gambling is allowed and is controlled by the competent authorities.
Gambling user profile and game preferences
According to the Gambling Commission’s Report, 47% of adults (over the age of 16) admitted to participating in gambling at least once a month. Of these, more men (51%) than women (43%) made bets. The age groups with the highest percentage of participation in gambling were between 35 and 54 years old. The report on gambling in Northern Ireland shows similar patterns to those seen in Britain. In this case, 67% of the respondents stated that they had participated in gambling in the last year. The percentage of men active in the game was higher than that of women. And the age group with the most participation was also between 35 and 54 years old.
As shown in the graph below, most people in the UK who play, prefer to do so in lotteries, sports betting, and scratch-off tickets. Although slot machines and bingo also attract numerous participants.
Conjunctural factors
On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union. Until December 31, 2020, the country is in a transition period, while a new trade relationship with the EU is being negotiated. Brexit has had strong implications in the sector. Household disposable income and consumer confidence have declined and are factors with a strong impact on activities such as gambling, lotteries, and betting.
Uk Gambling Industry Profits Definition
On the other hand, if the UK were to leave the European Union without an agreement, it could mean that British companies without a base in the EU would be unable to provide services there.
As for the health crisis caused by the COVID-19, the main implications are being the closure of all physical betting establishments and the paralysis of sports betting (in 2019 it accounted £1.4 billion for operators). Football and horse racing account for 75% of the UK sports betting market and both are currently suspended.
However, with the closure of physical betting establishments, and the suspension of major sporting events, players are migrating to alternative products. There is currently increased customer activity in online casino and poker products. That could compensate for the disruption of sports betting over a period. With thousands of online operators in the UK, it is conceivable to think that the remote gaming scene will prosper in the short term. While the pandemic lasts and the measures to overcome it, the following risk factors occur: social isolation, boredom, stress, financial and job insecurity, and the opportunity to play online. This can affect the most vulnerable users with gaming issues. Therefore, the British Parliament has proposed to impose strict regulations for the sector. Among the measures envisaged are:
- limiting the value of bets to two pounds,
- the cessation of the VIP player reward systems,
- the suspension of advertising and bonus offers
- control of the amount of time and money that players spend during the pandemic blockade,
- intervention by operators if these increases compared to pre-crisis levels.
Key market players
- The Gambling Commission is the public body responsible for regulating gambling and supervising the law of this sector in Great Britain. It is the entity in charge of granting licenses to those gaming establishments that comply with the established legal requirements.
- In Northern Ireland, it is the courts and district councils that authorize gambling activities. The Department for Social Development tracks licenses or license renewals, and the Northern Ireland Police Service enforces the Gambling Law.
- A number of gaming operators in Great Britain: as of March 31, 2019, there were a total of 2,690 operators in the UK with the license required by the Gambling Commission to be able to operate in the market. Of all of them, 338 operate in more than one subsector. With licenses (both online and face-to-face) operators have the right to carry out 3,656 activities (3.4% less than the previous year).
Main operators
In 2019 the four largest competing companies had a combined market share of 34%.
Ladbrokes Coral and William Hill position themselves as the operators with the most physical gambling establishments. However, smaller brands still manage to retain a considerable number of outlets.
In the online sector, Paddy Power maintains a strong presence.
In the casino market, the Grosvenor chain occupies the dominant position, but independent casinos are still profitable.
Uk Gambling Industry Profits Companies
Online gambling has allowed companies to enter the market and quickly establish a strong brand.
Market Opportunities
In the United Kingdom, the conditions to operate in the gambling market have been tightening, taxes are increasing, and strict regulations are imposed. The aim is, among others, creating a safer game and avoiding gambling in the country.
In April 2019, the Gambling Commission launched a new three-year national strategy to reduce the harm that gaming creates to users. The new regulations have encouraged mergers between operators, to protect their profit margins. Due to tighter regulation and narrower margins, some companies have left the industry.
However, despite restrictions on machines and advertising, the industry has grown in recent years, and it is estimated that it will continue to do so. Bookmakers are expected to dominate the industry, bingo halls and lotteries will generate constant demand, and demand for online gaming platforms and sports betting will increase.
There could be an exponential growth of online gaming with the development of big data, artificial intelligence and analytics used by operators in their marketing strategies, customer acquisition and consolidation. Algorithms have become popular, providing customers with engaging and personalized experiences. Despite its maturity, the sector offers opportunities for technologically advanced companies.
Market Access Keys
Distribution
The offer of gambling is made in physical establishments (casinos, betting shops, etc.) or through electronic platforms. Those companies that manufacture gaming machines or furniture and accessories for physical gaming establishments can distribute their products through physical stores or e-commerce platforms. There are lots of them, either generic such as Amazon or eBay, or specialized distributors such as Fruit Machine Planet, Gaming Solutions and others.
Regulatory and non-regulatory barriers
The barriers to entry to the sector are considerable. Significant capital investment is needed in the bookmakers’ segment. It is needed to compete with companies such as William Hill, with real estate located on the busiest main streets. Also, to provide gambling, physical or remote, a license is required.
The online sector involves fewer barriers to entry, fixed costs are lower, physical presence is not required and competitors are more fragmented. However, this channel requires high advertising investments and highly advanced technology.
Another important barrier is the strict regulation that is being imposed in the sector. The United Kingdom is a highly regulated market, with differentiated legislation according to the territory.
In Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) the main regulatory instruments are the Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Act 2014. This regulation covers the entire sector of gambling, both online and in physical establishments. It organizes the industry and its agencies, specifies the requirements to obtain a license and establishes the different administrative procedures.
In Northern Ireland, gambling is regulated by the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements Order of 1985. The legislation is considered old, complex, and increasingly outdated. Therefore, it is currently under review, trying to adapt to the new technological reality.
The UK Government imposed a 15% tax on profits in the online gaming segment in December 2014. It is levied on all operators targeting UK customers.
Since October 2019, the tax on profits from Fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBT) belonging to the B2 category increased from 15% to 21%. In April 2019, the maximum bet on FOBT was reduced from 100 to 2 GBP. As of April 2020, gambling companies (except for lotteries) do not allow consumers to bet with credit cards, both for online and offline games.
Aid
The sector receives a low level of aid.
The Gambling Commission offers funds to larger gaming operators to improve their methods of identifying and addressing problematic gambling, ensuring that support and treatment are provided to those who require it.
Since April 2017, and for a period of 3 years, the Gambling Commission has also established a tax and financing system to ensure a fairer distribution of costs, particularly for smaller operators. For their part, organizations like the Association of British Bookmakers and National Casino Forum help their members improve their performance, analyse data, and implement best practices.
Uk Gambling Industry Profits History
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