Survey finds most UK gamblers see betting as social activity

The survey for Entain also found that the majority of UK gamblers want freedom of choice in the regulation of gambling.

UK.- A survey carried out by CT Group for the gaming and sports betting operator Entain has found that most gamblers in the UK see betting as a social activity.

More than half of the 2,000 respondents said betting was a “social activity” while over a quarter responded that they had made “good friends” through betting and gaming.

Almost all of respondents (94 per cent) said they believed they should be free to decide how to spend their spare time and money.

The majority also said they spent more money on other leisure activities than gambling, with 78 per cent saying they spent twice as much at pubs and restaurants.

Some 38 per cent responded that they enjoyed spending money, and 58 per cent described themselves as savers.

The results come as the government undertakes a review of gambling legislation in the UK, with a view to overhauling the 2005 Gambling Act.

It is expected that changes will include more restrictions on gambling advertising, player protections and online gaming stake limits. 

The responsible gambling charities GambleAware and YGAM have called for the introduction of a mandatory levy on gambling operators to fund problem gambling support and treatment services.