PKR.com study: Majority of Brits support regulating online gambling

The British government's plan to license and regulate online gambling is being welcomed by 63% of respondents in a recent survey conducted by online poker room PKR.com and market research agency YouGov.

The report, which queried 4,630 people, indicates that a controversial plan to standardize the industry from within England has solid public support.

When asked whether they agreed with British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell's strategy to oversee the online gambling industry, rather than ban online gambling outright, 63% of those polled said they did.

Of those who indicated they are non-gamblers, 50% said they support the licensing and regulation of the industry, with only 14% reporting that they disagree with it, according the study.

In addition, sites which are regulated enjoy greater levels of public trust, PKR.com's findings suggest.

In this case, 63% of respondents said it is important for Internet gambling sites to be licensed, with 5% stating that liscensing is "not important at all" when choosing the site at which they play.

Participants in the survey also appeared to favor homegrown regulation of online gambling, as 70% said they would prefer sites were licensed from within the U.K.

The PKR.com U.K. 2007 report also suggests a shift from the public viewing online gaming as gambling to an entertainment activity.

courtesy of erin warner

News Added: 22 January, 2007

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