Exclusive: UK Gambling Regulation Consumer Survey Results – June 2020

Compare.bet today releases the results of its survey into UK consumer gambling perceptions, specifically surrounding proposals put forward in recent weeks by the APPG.

The survey polled a nationally representative sample of 5,000 adults in the UK and found the following:

• £5 was the most popular stake limit suggestion (17%), followed by £1 (16%).
• The average weekly deposit limit suggested by respondents was £441
• 13% of respondents suggested no deposit limit
• The average weekly loss limit suggested by respondents was £434
• 12% of respondents suggested no loss limit
• 49% thought limits should be flat across the board, while 37% believed they should depend on the individual’s financial circumstances and affordability
• 55% were against gambling logos on football team shirts
• 20% of those who gamble would consider using unlicensed gambling sites if restrictions in the UK became too onerous
• More consumers think that responsible gambling efforts by operators have improved than have gotten worse (23% vs 15%) – although the highest response was from those not aware of any actions taken by gambling companies at all
• The APPG’s proposed ban on in-play betting was supported by 41% and opposed by 33%
• Use of bonuses and free bets was met with more positive sentiment than negative
• 82% of respondents were unaware that it is possible to find casinos without a UK licence on page 1 of Google

Survey conducted by OnePoll for Compare.bet – 23/06/2020-29/06/2020. 5,000 respondents, nationally representative sample aged 18+.

The results are a mixed bag for the industry. Let’s dive in.

On stake limits, there is clearly an open mindedness amongst consumers regarding the appropriate level, with £0.20, £1, £5 and £10 all showing significant support. The APPG’s proposal was £1, half the current £2 in place on FOBTs. Around 1 in 7 thought online stakes should remain unlimited. This is a key area to be debated over the coming weeks and months.

General support for staking, deposit and loss limits was similar at around 6 in 7, and the average deposit and loss limits were all similar in the mid-£400s. This kind of level is higher than proposed limits in Germany’s re-regulating market, but would of course have a large impact on legitimate high-spending players who of course are so important to many operators.

In-play betting was somewhat a surprise inclusion in the APPG’s latest proposals, but our survey found that 45% of those who bet in-play, and 61% of those who don’t, think it should be banned.

Key gender splits saw men suggest 35% higher deposit limits than women. Men were also more likely to be comfortable with gambling logos on shirts and sponsorship at stadiums. Men were also split on whether in-play betting should be banned (41% agreed, 40% disagreed) while women were more clearly against the feature (41% agreed, 21% disagreed).

53% of respondents believed that gambling advertising on TV should be banned – the medium scored higher than any other.

Of the 70% who had an opinion, 57% think that loot boxes should be classified as gambling. Belgium banned loot boxes in 2018, but the UKGC clarified last year that they were not considered gambling. There is plenty of reason to think this guidance may change in the near future.

We will be following up this post with a series of deep-dives into certain aspects of the survey findings.

Full survey results

1. What is the maximum blanket stake limit (the amount of money that can be wagered per spin) you would support if it were to be introduced at all online casinos in the UK? Please answer in pounds.

2. What is the maximum weekly deposit limit (capping the amount of money that a customer can deposit in a set time period) you would support if it was to be introduced at online casinos and bookmakers in the UK? Please answer in pounds.

3. What is the maximum weekly loss limit (capping the amount of money that a customer can lose in a set time period) you would support if it was to be introduced at online casinos and bookmakers in the UK? Please answer in pounds.

4. Do you think football teams should be allowed to have gambling logos on their shirts as part of sponsorship deals?

5. Do you think football teams should be allowed to have gambling sponsorship at their stadiums as part of sponsorship deals?

6. Do you think that any restrictions on wagering, deposits, or losses should be the same for everyone, or should they depend on the individual’s financial circumstances and affordability?

7. Do you think that any restrictions on wagering, deposits or losses should be applied to any of the following categories? Please select all that apply.

8. Do you think that ‘loot boxes’ in computer games should be classified as gambling to protect young people? In video games, a loot box is an in-game purchase consisting of a virtual container that awards players with items and modifications based on chance.

9. Should VIP programmes, which offer high-spending customers additional perks and incentives, be banned?

10. If government regulation of licensed online gambling in the UK became too restrictive, would you consider using a gambling provider without a UK licence?

11. What is your view on the actions taken by gambling companies over the past two years to ensure safe and responsible gambling?

12. How far do you agree or disagree with the following statement?: ‘Online casinos should be allowed to offer new customers bonus incentives when they sign up and deposit’

13. How far do you agree or disagree with the following statement?: ‘Bookmakers should be allowed to offer new customers free bets when they sign up and deposit’

14. Should online betting companies be allowed to obtain exclusive rights to UK domestic football, and require that customers have a funded betting account to be able to watch the game?

15. In your opinion, which of the following (if any) formats of betting advertising should be banned?

16. Should betting companies be allowed to show branded responsible gambling messages on TV?

17. Do you think in-play betting where customers are able to bet on a game while it is currently happening, should be banned?

18. When searching for online casino search words on Google, it is possible to find casinos without a UK license on page 1. Did you know this?