UKGC CEO Denies Pandemic-Fueled Online Gambling Explosion
Andrew Rhodes says participation has not gone "through the roof." UK data suggests gambling may have settled into "a new normal."
Andrew Rhodes, the CEO of the UK Gambling Commission, recently spoke at the World Regulatory Briefing during the ICE London expo, where he denied claims of a surge in online gambling since the pandemic.
Rhodes stated that overall participation in any form of gambling activity has remained stable at 44%, with online gambling comprising 27%, matching the rate of land-based gambling. Despite this, Rhodes acknowledged the need for operators to be innovative and competitive to continue to grow in the British market, and noted that mergers and acquisitions are continuing throughout the industry.
Rhodes also discussed the regulator’s studies into player behavior and the upcoming launch of a new Participation and Prevalence methodology later this year.