UKGC

Total gross online gaming yield in the fourth quarter witnessed a slight decrease from the previous three month period, reports the UK Gambling Commission upon publication of its latest COVID impact report. 

UKGC data covering January to March 2022, said to represent how gambling behaviour is reacting to the easing of British lockdown measures, revealed Q4 GGY totalled £1.2bn, a one per cent decrease from the third quarter.

Moreover, the overall number of total bets/spin also experienced a decrease from Q3 to Q4, whilst the average number active accounts increased by five per cent. 

In a statement on the regulator’s website, a spokesperson for the regulator stated: “We recognise that the country is now entering a different phase as we adjust to life after a series of restrictions. 

“We continue to expect extra vigilance from operators as consumers are impacted in different ways by the circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the wider economic environment. 

“Many people will still feel vulnerable as a result of the length of the pandemic period, further uncertainty about their personal or financial circumstances or readjusting budgets and time as life returns to normal with a wider set of finance drivers.”

Alongside the total online figure, slots GGY also saw a decrease of five per cent to nearly £541m between the same period. In addition, the overall number of total bets/spins decreased by two per cent, with the average monthly active accounts increased by five per cent. 

Moreover, the number of online slots sessions lasting longer than an hour decreased by two per cent (to 7.9 million) between Q3 and Q4. The average session length lasted 18 minutes, with approximately seven per cent of all sessions lasting more than one hour

Licensed betting operators’ GGY increased three per cent to £551m between Q3 and Q4, while the number of total bets and spins decreased to 3.2 billion.