Online gambling and betting (known among friends as iGaming) are two propulsive industries in many parts of the world. The UK is a prominent member of this global community.
With the domestic revenue projected at £10.86 billion in 2024, and the expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.05% in the 2024-2028 interval, this isn’t a minor branch of the economy.
Hence, let’s go through some important trends, data, and forecasts regarding the present and future of UK iGaming.
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For starters, we need to underline one important piece of information: the figures above indicate only the official data by the UK taxation and gambling-licensing authorities. There is no reliable data on the investments made by Britons on foreign iGaming platforms.
For instance, Techopedia’s gambling expert Vlad Grindu explains that various international platforms popular in 2024 offer higher bonuses and more alluring incentives (no registration hassle, fewer regulative restrictions, innovative tech solutions) than their UK-based counterparts. Many implement locally adapted marketing strategies to increase their presence on the British Isles and attract new customers. So, before you start playing on such foreign platforms, do your homework and check whether they’re legit. Once you’ve realised everything is fine, feel free to roll the dice.
So, all this means that we can’t say for sure the exact amount of money placed into this industry by punters and bettors. This fact only opens new opportunities for entrepreneurs to come up with innovative iGaming features and new platforms.
However, what we do know based on the figures is that there has been a massive increase in online gambling in recent years, with record-high revenues achieved last year. The simultaneous growth in the number of casino apps and their quality (enhanced security and advanced software features) has also attracted hundreds of thousands of people to online gambling in the UK.
As the demand for online betting and gambling games is still very high, it will lead to new business initiatives and innovative approaches to consumers. New companies entering this area need to be aware they’ll face strict compliance requests and legal procedures. Still, once an iGaming provider fulfils all the requirements, they’re granted a license to operate such games. What’s more, the authorities welcome such entities because that way they can control the niche. Simultaneously, the government frequently raids and closes down illegal betting and gambling parlours.
Players, on the other hand, will keep enjoying various options for more customised gaming experiences. Some might want to take a rest and restrict themselves from those games for some time. Others may decide to turn to moderate gambling and try their luck on non-Gamstop casinos along the way.
Finally, we can expect that the UK government and commercial casinos will continue their negotiations regarding gambling regulations to bring proper regulatory decisions to benefit all interested parties.
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