Online gambling's popularity 'to continue'

A number of factors that will continue to keep online gambling the most popular form of remote gambling have been discussed.

Customers realise that online gambling is a safe pursuit, according to the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), which is one of the reasons it will continue to be popular.

Ben Wright, business director at the RGA, cited the "usability" and "comfort factor" of internet gambling, saying that those who bet online have no security issues to be concerned about.

"People still use betting shops and the telephone but in terms of having all the information ready and there for you, online is a growing market for betting," he stated.

Various gambling surveys have been undertaken in the last few years, which have shown the growth of the online betting industry.

In 2006, GamCare reported that 14.5 per cent of all gambling occurred on the internet, making it second only to gambling in a betting shop.

Additionally, the Gambling Commission recently found that 8.8 per cent of people said they had participated in some form of remote gambling in the 12 months up to March 2008.