LONDON: The 2018 FIFA World Cup proved to be a boon for betting companies in the United Kingdom as the country’s passion for football translated to 7 million people gambling during the competition according to research firm YouGov.
It reveals that 1 out of 7 Brits were involved in some form of betting, either in the form of a fun, informal one with family, friends and colleagues or a more serious, formal one with an authorized betting company.
Out of these 7 million, 24% of them which adds up to 1.7 million Brits, were full time employees of a company which boosted consumer spending.
Outside work, 6 million people or 12% of UK’s adult population placed bets either with a traditional betting shop on a street or on an online website. In a boost for websites, they recorded three times more customers during the tournament than physical bookmakers.
YouGov also claims that out of these 6 million, nearly 17% of them or 1 million Brits had never placed a sporting bet in 2017. While 33% of them had opened a new account in the temptation of availing free introductory offers or bets.
It is yet to be seen if the ICC Cricket World Cup next year in the country will draw as much enthusiasm and boost the gambling industry further, with the next FIFA World Cup in 2022 in Qatar.
