British Approve of Industry Regulation

The results show that nearly two of three gamblers, no less than 63 percent of the 4,630 respondents, support a policy that works to regulate the online gambling industry in the UK, by the UK government. This comes out only months before the new Gambling Act comes into force, later in September 2007. Perhaps more surprising is the support that the policy receives among non-gamblers. Of these, over half agreed with Secretary Jowells efforts to regulate the industry.

Licensing the sites was also part of the survey, and it too revealed interesting findings. Of these, British citizens prefer and trust more sites that are licensed locally, by the UK, over those overseen by governments elsewhere. The percentage saying so were a high 70 percent. Other interesting findings have the British respondents place fun and excitement high in the list of things they like best about online gambling, surprisingly before winning and financial reward.

Of the interesting findings are some that will likely change the perception of the average gambler and of the habit in general. More women than men gamble online (55% females), their average age not necessarily young (29% are between 46 and 55), and most play video slots (a whopping 80%). The typical wagers are also not extremely high, somewhere between 15 and 30 British pounds. Ninety percent gamble when at home in the evenings, and with such results and positive reviews, they will likely be able to in the years to come as well.