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Editor ’ s Letter
Calm before the storm
Despite all the hysteria about the potential of a pandemicinduced rise in online gambling , as this Market Monitor outlines in detail , figures from the UK ’ s Gambling Commission show that fears of an explosion in gambling were largely unfounded .
While there was movement between the verticals , the regulator concluded there was a lack of evidence of any “ significant or sustained increase in gambling activity in the Covid-19 period ”.
But though the Commission ’ s commentary undoubtedly lends support to the sector , this should not be interpreted as a sign that operators have its backing in a broader sense .
As many have noted , the Commission ’ s affordability review poses huge risks to the sector ’ s future viability , potentially much more so than the government ’ s review of the Gambling Act .
Chief executive Neil McArthur ’ s criticism of the sector ’ s claims about the UK black market have only added to the uncertain mood in the industry .
It ’ s too early to say what the impact of the reviews will be , but it ’ s likely the sector will come out of them looking very different than it does today .
Moving to the Netherlands , the market is at a very different point in its development . Given the delays already incurred in the opening of the regulated market , it was little surprise that the launch has been pushed back again , by a month to October .
However , against the backdrop of the pandemic , this latest delay was perhaps seen as more justifiable than others by operators . In any case , one month is not likely to make much of a difference to those who ’ ve already been absent from the market for the 32 months required by regulators .
There ’ s also been some good news for those with an eye on the country , with a recent report from the regulator hinting that the market could open up even further in future .
“ The regulator concluded there was a lack of evidence of any ‘ significant or sustained increase in gambling activity in the Covid-19 period ’”
Stephen Carter Editorial director , iGB