BRITAIN has seen a 40 per cent rise in internet gambling in the past year, research showed Monday.
An additional 3.2 million people logged on to gambling websites last year, compared with only 2.2 million more who accessed social networking sites such as Facebook and its near-rivals, said market research group Nielsen.
Online poker sites were particularly successful. Partypoker.com pulled in an extra 870,000 visitors last year, increasing its audience by 174 percent. Partycasino.com, a smaller site, grew by 360 percent last year.
Nielsen said almost half of all online gamblers earn more than £30,000 ($49,717).
Women comprise 46 per cent of online gamblers - many of the estimated 2000 gambling websites employ "female friendly" pink color schemes and other gimmicks thought to appeal to women, such as gambling horoscopes.
"The over-65s and those on lower household incomes have historically been heavy users of gambling sites, but in the face of the recession this profile is changing," said Neil Beston, of Nielsen.
"While the phenomenal growth in gambling sites over the last two years has been driven by men and women of all ages, it appears to be powered particularly by middle-aged men, the well-educated and high-earning households."
Gambling charity GamCare expressed concern over the figures. Adrian Scarfe, the charity's clinical training director said. "The internet is readily available, it's 24/7 and it's right in the heart of a home. The vulnerable groups are those who are less risk-averse - young people and women, and no one knows if you're drunk."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/online-gambling-is-britains-fastest-growing-pastime/story-e6frf7k6-1225921268029
www.betfair.net
An additional 3.2 million people logged on to gambling websites last year, compared with only 2.2 million more who accessed social networking sites such as Facebook and its near-rivals, said market research group Nielsen.
Online poker sites were particularly successful. Partypoker.com pulled in an extra 870,000 visitors last year, increasing its audience by 174 percent. Partycasino.com, a smaller site, grew by 360 percent last year.
Nielsen said almost half of all online gamblers earn more than £30,000 ($49,717).
Women comprise 46 per cent of online gamblers - many of the estimated 2000 gambling websites employ "female friendly" pink color schemes and other gimmicks thought to appeal to women, such as gambling horoscopes.
"The over-65s and those on lower household incomes have historically been heavy users of gambling sites, but in the face of the recession this profile is changing," said Neil Beston, of Nielsen.
"While the phenomenal growth in gambling sites over the last two years has been driven by men and women of all ages, it appears to be powered particularly by middle-aged men, the well-educated and high-earning households."
Gambling charity GamCare expressed concern over the figures. Adrian Scarfe, the charity's clinical training director said. "The internet is readily available, it's 24/7 and it's right in the heart of a home. The vulnerable groups are those who are less risk-averse - young people and women, and no one knows if you're drunk."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/online-gambling-is-britains-fastest-growing-pastime/story-e6frf7k6-1225921268029
www.betfair.net
