Value growth in the UK gambling market had come to a halt during the period leading up to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) emergency, as its online segment matured and retail business continued its slow decline.

The crisis is expected to reduce overall market value by 16% during 2020-21, with the resilience of continuing remote operations preventing the downturn being significantly deeper as the high street segment lost all income for almost the entire first quarter (Apr-Jun).

Both channels will face further headwinds as the economy recovers slowly post-pandemic but can benefit from advances in technology, consumer demand for social interaction and the value appeal of small-stake gambling as affordable entertainment in difficult times.

• The impact of COVID-19 on consumer behaviour and market dynamics in gambling

• How to revive high street venue visiting once the pandemic is over

• Implications and opportunities arising from the growth of gambling via smartphones

• The role of advertising in growing market size and driving brand choice

This Report covers the UK gambling market, looking at consumer behaviour and attitudes towards betting and gaming in both retail and remote settings.

Gambling activities included in the Report are as follows:

• National Lottery draws, other lotteries (eg Health Lottery/People’s Postcode Lottery) and scratchcards

• Gaming machines and online slots

• Bingo

• Betting on sports events (eg horseracing, football etc) and non-sports events (eg politics, TV reality shows etc)

• Casino games

Retail or in-person gambling is defined as participation in these activities in licensed venues – primarily betting shops, arcades, bingo clubs, casinos and sports stadia – or, for the purchasing of lottery tickets and scratchcards, shops and other high street outlets selling these products.

Remote gambling is defined as participation in these activities online, whether via smartphone, PC/laptop computer, tablet, smart TV, gaming console or other connected device.

Consumer expenditure on these products is commonly expressed as operators’ GGY, which typically equates to stakes minus prizes/winnings.

Online instant-win games are included in the scratchcard segment as it is not possible to separate retail from remote sales.

Remote segment value figures for 2014-15 are Mintel estimates as Gambling Commission data for online spending is not available prior to November 2014.

Gaming machines in pubs, takeaways, motorway service stations and other non-gambling venues are considered outside the scope of this Report.