The gambling giant Entain has published some findings that lockdown triggers an increasing demand for personal freedom and choice after the completion of a study that has also shown that gambling is increasingly seen as a social activity and the majority of people bet responsibly.
According to the results of new nationwide research carried out by Entain, the owner of the betting brands Ladbrokes and Coral revealed that the number of people who believe they should be free to choose how to spend their free time and money at a moment when the UK is slowly making its way out of the lengthy coronavirus lockdown.
The survey was conducted by the CT Group on behalf of Entain among 2,000 British residents. Even though it was completed at a time when the country’s Government is considering some major changes to the UK betting laws through its ongoing review of the Gambling Act 2005, the survey showed that the vast majority of people believe gambling is a social activity and do it in a safe and responsible manner.
Furthermore, the research showed that 94% of British adult residents (or 9 out of 10) who bet no less than once a month believe they should have the chance to freely decide how to spend their free time and money. The figure represents an increase from December 2020, when 79% of the survey respondents gave such an answer.
The Majority of British Gamblers Bet Safely and Responsibly
The latest study carried out by Entain challenged some stereotypes related to gambling in the UK. It found that the majority of bettors are working people, and 40% of them have an education degree. Only 9% of them are aged from 18 to 24, while 28% are aged 55 and older.
Entain’s study also found that more than 55% of the respondents consider gambling and betting social activities that can be shared with friends. About one-quarter of the survey respondents said that gambling helped them to find some good friends.
The latest research carried out by the British gambling giant found that 78% of the survey respondents place a bet no less than once a week. These people also spend around on gambling approximately half the amount they would spend in restaurants, pubs and bars weekly.
The survey found that the majority of people who enjoy betting said they consider themselves sports fans, and 83% of the respondents like to place a bet on sports events’ outcomes. Also, about 50% of the ones who enjoy gambling believe that the UK gambling sector should support grassroots and lower league clubs. Only 38% of the survey respondents (around 4 out of 10) revealed they actively enjoy spending money on gambling activities, while almost two-thirds said they consider themselves savers. The majority of people also said they have savings accounts.
Entain survey also found that respondents reported increased online activity not only in gambling but in every aspect of their life and leisure, especially in shopping and banking. It also seems that most people are willing to continue doing a lot of things online, including betting in a digital environment after the end of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Author
Daniel Williams
