Someone Has to Win Some people have the odd flutter on the horses; the Grand National is the housewives’ favourite, with a pound each way on a horse with a nice name, or one that is picked by putting a pin in the list of runners. Clubs hold raffles on a regular basis and everyone buys a few tickets, perhaps for a cash prize or a bottle. Neither of these activities have much to do with gambling. It is a bit of fun. While there are people who regularly go to casinos, play online poker, go to the betting shop to follow the horses, or try to predict football scores each week, the majority of people are irregular gamblers at best, but still enjoy winning; someone will.
Gambling Figures The last complete gambling figures in the UK are for the year 2012/13. The estimated yield in the year was ÂŁ6.2m after prizes were paid out, according to the Gaming Commission. Half of the money staked
was lodged at betting shops but the biggest growth area is that of lotteries. Participation has increased by 35% in five years and the current gross yield is £221million of the £6.2billion total. A survey by ICM for the Gambling Commission in 2013 found that around 58% of those responding had participated in at least one gambling activity in the previous weeks, the majority saying it was just a single time per week. While most people that responded and stated they had gambled were over 35, the age group where participation had increased the most since the previous survey was in the 18 – 24 year age group. Further research suggests that is the age group that plays gaming machines most frequently. Lotteries have become the most popular form of gambling, according to the survey, and participation has increased since the facility to participate online was introduced. It is not that long ago that the Football Pools were a very popular gambling activity; that was before the days of the National Lottery in the UK. Early Days Once it was launched, there were often queues in retail corner shops in the hours leading up to the lottery draw that was televised nationally. People wanted to know they were in; their numbers were sent down by terminal immediately, so even last minute customers were in. The biggest problem then was to get home in time to see the random balls come out of the transparent bowl. Internet and Membership Times have moved on, and although retail agents still do good business, the Internet has provided the opportunity for people to participate in lotteries worldwide. One of the innovations that ensure no one needs to miss out is online memberships to join a lottery syndicate offered by companies such as DTD European Services. Everyone is given their own account which only they can access. Once they have set up a direct debit, payment is taken automatically as agreed and the detail in the transaction history of the account will correspond with the member’s bank statement. There is no need to check winners every week, because part of the management services that such companies provide is that they do all the work; winners are automatically notified. Winnings will appear in each member’s account and can be transferred out into a bank account whenever the member wishes. The whole process could not be simpler. Just like a raffle, someone has to win; the chances are the same for everyone.