UK Reports Record Gambling Revenue Thanks To Online Casino Performance
The UK is renowned for its open, fully regulated gambling market. Online gambling is licensed in the country, along with retail casinos and sports betting. While recent figures hint at the fact that many UK players are using sites licensed in the country, many players still look for new non Gamstop casinos with generous bonuses.
These offshore casinos can offer some of the most generous bonuses without typically requiring KYC details or a drawn-out registration process, according to gambling expert Vlad Grindu.
As such, total gambling revenue in the UK is likely much higher than the published figure of £1.54 billion during Q4 2024. But, despite that, the figure is still a record for the country and it was driven primarily by a record number of online slot machine players during the period, as well as continued growth in the online iGaming sector.
iGaming has seen considerable growth in recent years. Part of the reason for this is the greater accessibility of online gambling websites. 5G internet connections have improved and so too has the hardware that we use to get online. As well as being able to access online casinos on desktop and laptop computers, more and more casinos offer app-based gaming. Apps are convenient, enabling players to enjoy their favourite casino games, card hands, and slot machines while watching TV or even while commuting to and from work.
These same improvements in technology have also led to improvements in game design and website features. Live dealer games are becoming the norm. These games see live dealers, either physically in retail casinos or at verified tables, offering an immersive experience that is closer to the feeling of a brick-and-mortar casino than is found at a traditional online casino.
It also means there is a much wider selection of slot machines and table game variants at online casinos than at physical casinos. Other new technologies that are starting to emerge and are likely to become even more prominent in the coming years include VR and AR casino games.
It's also fair to say that people are increasingly accustomed to spending time online, with 95% of the UK population going online. Most people can easily navigate online casino websites and apps, which means players are more inclined to log on than to head out of the door.
Finally, online casinos tend to offer better bonuses and offers than their retail counterparts. It isn’t unusual to be offered 200% or even 300% deposit match bonuses, for example, while slot machine fanatics can enjoy access to dozens of free spins at their favourite games. And while they are more common for new players, these bonuses aren’t reserved solely for first-time players with some very generous ongoing bonuses also available.
