Increased variety and amounts of sports coverage with further impetus on statistics may draw the non-betting public into a wider range of sports betting opportunities.

Will the increase in mediums for betting actually increase the number of punters? Who is the online consumer?

Gambling is a social activity for many customers where the actual monetary gain is of lesser importance.

8% of the UK population bet weekly on sporting events. Global interest in high profile events such as the premier league have placed the industry in a strong position. With the influence of the National Lottery declining in the marketplace and the planned Tote sell-off by the government though, vast changes are occurring in the betting sector, some of which may lead to the fundamental upheaval of the market. Longer hours have increased business by a modest amount but longer business hours also impact on the consumer in terms of time available to spend betting. Application of new technology and the growth of telephone betting aligned with the high level of taxation have made off-shore betting a reality, but will there be an explosion of online gambling?

With the Sport of Kings accounting for 70% of all bets placed, the relationship between bookmakers and the racing industry will have a vital part to play in the future. As changes in ownership of the trade giants lead to a general reduction in the number of medium-sized chains, what are the immediate implications for the industry? Sports Betting provides an up to date overview of the sector, looking at changing trends in a rapidly changing market. Taking into account recent developments in the way betting is distributed and the growth in spread betting, this report investigates the major trends occurring in the sector and examines consumer attitudes towards betting and forecasts likely future developments.