Remote Gambling Shows Steady Growth

GC spokesperson comments on new remote gambling report.

The market for remote gambling operators is expected to show consistent growth throughout 2009, according to the Gambling Commission.

Commenting on its recent report on participation in remote gambling, the organisation said the market should continue to develop steadily this year, although the current economic climate makes it difficult to predict the future.

Published last month, the report reveals that 9.7 per cent of people questioned in 2008 said they had taken part in some form of remote gambling during the previous month.

In 2007 the figure was 8.8 per cent, while 2006 showed a participation level of 7.2 per cent.

John Travers, corporate affairs manager at the Gambling Commission, said: "It's difficult to say what the next developments in the industry will be, though clearly participation in remote gambling continues to steadily grow.

"We are supportive of new innovations by the gambling industry but we have always made it clear to licensed operators that they must build in the appropriate social responsibility measures."

The report also found that people who participate in remote gambling are most likely to be male, and aged between 18 and 44 years old.