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<p>Since March, the Gambling Commission has collected and published monthly data from
operators alongside regular consumer survey data to understand the impact of covid
restrictions on gambling behaviours. Data from online operators representing about
80% of the market showed a significant fall in overall online gambling participation
during the early months of the pandemic, with 25% fewer active players across all
types of online gambling combined in May 2020 than there had been in March 2020. Participation
increased again as restrictions were eased. In October 2020 there were 3% fewer active
players across all types of online gambling combined than March 2020 (note that players
may be active in more than one type of gambling).</p><p>Consumer survey data has also
shown that the majority of people spent less or the same on gambling during Covid-19
as they did previously, and people were more likely to report that they had stopped
gambling than started for the first time. The latest figures from the Gambling Commission
are available at: <a href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/News/data-shows-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-gambling-behaviour-in-october-2020"
target="_blank">https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/News/data-shows-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-gambling-behaviour-in-october-2020</a></p><p>The
government has worked closely with the Gambling Commision to take steps to reduce
gambling related harm. In April, we banned gambling on credit cards and mandated integration
with GAMSTOP (the national online self exclusion scheme). The Commission also directed
£8.8 million to GambleAware to ensure its treatment services could continue uninterrupted.
In May, tough new rules were introduced for online operators, in response to the potential
for pandemic restrictions to increase the risk of gambling harm. New rules on VIP
schemes came into force in October, and the Commission will respond to a consultation
on new rules for online slots game design early next year.</p><p> </p>
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