In the world of online gambling entertainment, it’s not tourist hotspots like Las Vegas, Macao, and Monte Carlo that lead the way: it’s the UK. Under the stringent watch of the Gambling Commission, the market has become the world’s leading example of enabling a highly competitive space while also keeping licensing and regulation tight.
Both of these benefit customers greatly, creating a trusted and widely enjoyed industry in the UK. Even with this being the state of play for years now, the UK’s gambling industry continues to show growth, especially when it comes to the iGaming sector.
So, here’s what’s working now, what the projections see, and further measures being implemented to strengthen the industry further.
Strict Regulator, Close Competition
Licensing and regulation underpin the rampant success of iGaming in the UK and set the example for all other jurisdictions to follow. As is detailed in the look at the industry, the UKGC enforces rigorous due diligence compliance on its licence-holders and requires constant compliance.
It’s not a case of a single standard, however, with the regulator often reviewing and updating its codes of practice to tackle emerging products and risks. Rather than driving away business, this has cultivated an environment where only the best-equipped companies can compete effectively within the UK market.
Now, platforms need to meet the myriad of customer demands, latch onto any and all new game or preference trends, and all while upholding incredibly high standards for customer safety and regulatory compliance. The state of play has led to the top bingo websites in the UK to expand into all corners of iGaming.
Indeed, the classic game of bingo takes centre stage with an ongoing carousel of new games and jackpots going live, but the bingo rooms are also joined by exclusive slots, new slots, original creations from the provider, the top trending games of the day, Slingo, and live casino and game show titles. In turn, it raises the bar for competitiveness.
Projections Show Strong Continued Growth
The UK’s gambling industry and, particularly, its iGaming sector could be a promising space to explore for prospective investors, given the reliability of the regulator and its prominence. Add to that the growth projections, and it’s easy to see why online gambling in the UK has become an interesting arena to explore in recent years.
Already, the total gross gambling yield experienced by the remote (online) sector for casino, betting, and bingo has hit £6.9 million. That showed a 20.3 per cent increase on 2019/20 figures in 2023/24 and a 6.9 bump on the reporting year prior. Moving forward, growth looks to accelerate.
According to the figures collected to create the projected revenues by GVR, the compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2030 in online gambling alone for the UK’s market size is 12.8 per cent. That’ll more than double the revenue seen in 2024 by 2030 across the board if the growth rate holds to expectations.
Those with an established UK audience and who continue to be both compliant with regulations and explore all of the innovations that arrive in the sector stand the best chance of benefiting from this growth. The UK’s iGaming market presents opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs, existing brands, and investors alike.
