The UK Gambling Commission’s latest report reveals that the online gambling sector continues to grow, with gross gambling yield (GGY) reaching £1.32 billion in the third quarter ending September 2024. This 11% year-on-year increase has largely been driven by a record surge in online slots revenue and significant player engagement across digital platforms.
Record Slots Revenue and Rising Player Activity
The standout performer in the report is online slots, which saw its GGY hit a new high of £680 million—an impressive 16% jump in activity. Player engagement in slots reached unprecedented levels, with a 13% increase in total spins to 23.3 billion for the quarter. The number of active monthly accounts rose by 16% to 4.4 million, although the average GGY per session dropped slightly from £4.20 to £4.13. Spins per session saw a minor decline as well, from 147 to 142.
A notable finding was the rise in extended gaming sessions. The number of sessions lasting more than an hour rose by 9% year-over-year, totaling 10 million, with total sessions increasing by 18% to 164.7 million. On average, session length remained steady at 17 minutes, but the report highlighted that one operator’s reclassification of products into the slots category likely contributed to these record-breaking figures.
Shifts in Online Betting Patterns and Customer Interactions
The report also provides insights into other online betting activities. Real event betting GGY climbed by 6% compared to last year, reaching £453 million. Interestingly, this increase occurred despite a 10% drop in the number of bets, suggesting that players are placing higher wagers per bet. The number of active monthly accounts in real event betting rose by 9%, signaling sustained interest in this category.
In terms of safer gambling measures, customer interactions aimed at promoting responsible play saw a modest 1% increase, totaling 3 million interactions. However, direct interactions between operators and players declined slightly by 1%. These figures point to a balanced approach in addressing player engagement while prioritizing customer welfare.
Mixed Performance in Retail Betting
Retail betting, in contrast to the online sector, showed slight declines. The retail GGY decreased by 1% to £533 million, with over-the-counter (OTC) bets falling by 6% to 134 million and OTC GGY dropping 8% to £152 million. While traditional OTC betting faced a decline, self-service betting terminals (SSBTs) saw a positive trend. Bets on SSBTs increased by 9% to 34 million, and their GGY rose by 8% to £101 million, indicating a shift in consumer preferences toward automated betting options.
Machine gaming within retail locations remained stable, with a slight GGY increase of 0.2% to £281 million. The average spend per machine session edged up by 2% to £12.35, suggesting a steady interest in machine gaming despite the challenges facing retail betting.
Industry Insights and Market Trends
These figures reflect data gathered from the UK’s largest licensed gambling operators, providing valuable insights into how consumer engagement is evolving across both online and retail sectors. The Gambling Commission noted that this data represents a subset of operators, cautioning that the findings may not directly correspond to the industry as a whole. Nevertheless, the upward trends in online gaming and increased engagement with digital platforms underscore the continuing shift in player habits.
With record online slots revenue and steady growth in real event betting, the UK gambling industry shows no signs of slowing down. As players increasingly turn to digital platforms, operators may need to continue adapting their offerings to maintain engagement and responsibly manage player interactions. For now, the UK Gambling Commission’s report highlights a robust period for online gaming, with trends suggesting that digital engagement will remain strong in the coming quarters.
