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Statistics and research release

Industry Statistics - May 2021

The latest statistics include the period between April – September 2020.

Summary

Gambling Industry Statistics are published twice a year (in May and November) and provide the latest information on each sector regulated by the Gambling Commission.

Industry Statistics report on the size and shape of the gambling industry in Great Britain.

This Publication provides an overview of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) by sector, along with the numbers of licensed operators and premises. It is based on data reported to us by the operators we licence and regulate.

With the arrival of COVID-19, the various lockdown rules and restrictions throughout 2020 have brought about significant changes that have impacted on the availability of product and sales channels for the gambling industry. This mainly involved land-based sectors of the industry, but the restrictions also affected live sporting events which would have potential to impact on remote operators. A consequence of this is we have not included estimates where returns have either been late or not yet due as we would not have confidence in their accuracy. We accept that the impact of this may be some figures which understate actual totals. Our methodology page explains estimations further.

The collection of data during this Covid affected period has also impacted on the completeness of the figures with several operator's overdue with submitting their returns or have submitted data which is still in question.   

The figures published reflect the uniqueness of this latest reporting period. 

The data file includes historical data back to 2009.

Key facts

  • £5.9bn Total gross gambling yield (GGY) of the gambling industry in Great Britain
    (April to September 2020).

  • £4.0bn Total gross gambling yield (GGY) of the gambling industry in Great Britain (excluding lotteries)
    (April to September 2020).

  • 9,036 Total number of premises in Great Britain (Sep 2020)
    (10.8% decrease from March 2020).

  • 6,735 Total number of betting shops in Great Britain (Sep 2020)
    (12.3% decrease from March 2020).

  • £470.0m Total GGY for gaming machines in Great Britain
    (April to September 2020) (excludes those requiring only a local authority permit).

  • £396.8m Total GGY for category B3 machines in Great Britain
    (April to September 2020).

  • £3.1bn Total GGY for Remote Betting, Bingo & Casino Sector
    (April to September 2020).

  • £629.3m Total GGY for non-remote betting (including machines)
    (April to September 2020).

  • £92.0m Total GGY for non-remote bingo (including machines)
    (April to September 2020).

  • £67.0m Total GGY for Non-remote Casino (including machines)
    (April to September 2020).

  • £196.8m Contributions to good causes from large society lotteries
    (April to September 2020).

  • £775.1m Contributions to good causes from The National Lottery
    (April to September 2020).

Details

Total GGY for the industry was £5.9bn in the half year reporting period April 2020 - September 2020. The next full year’s data for reporting period April 2020 - March 2021 is due to be published in November 2021.

Remote (or online) gambling is the largest combined sector by GGY. With £3.1bn GGY, it comprises 52.3% of the overall market in this reporting period. Online casino games dominate the sector, generating £1.9bn in GGY, mostly from slots games. GGY for remote betting totalled £1.0bn, led by football and horse betting. GGY for remote bingo totalled £98.1m.

National Lottery ticket sales totalled £3.9bn. This supported a GGY equivalent of £1.6bn, making the National Lottery the second largest sector by GGY. Over the same period, the primary contribution to good causes totalled £775.1m.

Non-remote betting GGY was the third largest sector by GGY with £629.3m. Within off-course betting data, machines GGY totalled £304.9m. Machines represented 48.5% of total betting GGY. Total numbers of betting premises have continued to decline for the seventh consecutive reporting period to 6,735 (-12.3%).

Lotteries (excluding the National Lottery and small society lotteries), saw a GGY equivalent of £310.5m, with balance to good causes at £196.8m.

In the arcades sector, adult gaming centres totalled £97.0m in GGY and licensed family entertainment totalled £7.7m. Note that this data does not include family entertainment centres which operate using a permit from a local authority.

Non-remote bingo GGY totalled £92.0m, Machines represented 46.2% of the total bingo GGY.

The non-remote casino sector totalled £67.0m in GGY. Machines represented 27.7% of the total casino GGY

Machines GGY across all sectors totalled £470.6m. B3 with £396.8m is now the highest machine category for GGY.

The number of licensed activities has decreased to 3,468 (-1.7%). These licences are held by 2,522 operators (-2.1%).

The overall number of licensed gambling premises in Great Britain has fallen by 1,092 to 9,036 (-10.8%). The majority of these were betting premises which declined by 948 (-12.3%)

Notes

This publication is primarily for anyone who has an involvement or interest in the gambling industry including government, licensed operators, trade bodies, international regulators, journalists, academic researchers, financial institutions, statisticians, consumers and local authorities.

About official statistics.

Read about how we prepare our Industry Statistics.

Read about the terms we use in Industry Statistics.

We intend to publish the next Industry Statistics in November 2021.

Data and downloads

Files

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