Internet Gambling Set To Rise Amongst Women and Children

the net Magazine Launches First UK Survey Into Internet Gambling

In the first research of its kind, the net magazine has today launched a survey that explores one of Britain's biggest social taboos that is now set to revolutionise the Internet - gambling. The survey, conducted by MORI, confirms that whilst gambling is still a taboo and thought of as dangerous and addictive - a new breed of online gambler finds the Internet a safe bet. Experts believe that Internet gambling is set to become a new online trend in the UK, and the net's research finds that those most likely to exploit it are women and children.

Interestingly, whilst 64% of those surveyed felt gambling in general was either addictive, unhealthy and dangerous, only 9% thought the Internet was more dangerous place to bet. Many thought it was much safer - 22% women said they felt the Internet provides a safer, fun, anonymous, less intimidating and more tempting environment to have a flutter.

The survey collated responses from almost 2,100 people across Britain to build a comprehensive picture of attitudes towards this new Internet phenomenon.

Over half the population still think that gambling is generally addictive and 56% think that gambling is a waste of money; despite that we have still spent 16323.1 billion on the national lottery since it started in November 1996 (ref: Daily Telegraph, 30.7.99). 87% of the population surveyed thought that gambling on the Net was regulated, even though there are still considerable opportunities for unscrupulous operators.

Teenagers Online Temptation There is some concern that children in the UK will take up gambling on the Internet as 33% of teenagers now have Internet access. One in five surveyed feel that Internet gambling will prove more attractive to children and teenagers, and actually one in twenty, although not yet on the Internet, found the prospect of using their parents credit card tempting.

Bookies Beware - Women Prefer Virtual Gambling Women are at the forefront of a new breed of gambler, previously deterred by dark, smoky, male-dominated betting shops. One in five felt that gambling online would be more tempting as it's a safer, fun, unintimidating or anonymous environment. 24% of women feel more positive about gambling on the Internet than in a bookmakers and 12% of teenage girls said they are more likely to do the same. Traditional bookmakers can be intimidating places for women so the Internet increasingly provides the perfect forum for women wanting to have a flutter.

Dr. Mark Griffiths, Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University explained: "This, the first survey of its kind on Internet gambling, backs up my own research which calls for regulation from the Gaming Board and government to counter some of these issues to make online gambling even safer. The increase in the number of consumers online, and the low start up costs of setting up a website, mean that the number of Internet gambling sites will increase rapidly, many by unscrupulous traders. Gambling online is tempting for users because of the accessibility and anonymity of the Internet - it could become a real social problem in the near future, unless guidelines are given to help people gamble online safely."

"We commissioned this survey after researching Internet gambling for a feature in the net. We need to provide information and advice about online gambling so that everyone doing it feels safe," explained Ben Oliver, contributing editor, the net. "Some of the sites we came across during our research for the feature proved to be less than legitimate and if Internet gambling is going to increase we want to make sure consumers are properly informed and using the legit sites such as William Hill and Blue Square."

Ralph Topping, Internet director, William Hill added: "People's main fear over gambling on the Net is the perception that carrying out monetary transactions is risky from a security point of view. This is a wholly irrational fear that needs to be communicated to potential customers through the use of safe sites, such as ours."

Background on the net the net is a new consumer magazine from Haymarket Publications Limited, publisher of leading consumer magazine such as What Car?, Four Four Two and Stuff. the net aims to be a clear and concise Internet guide, directing its readers to the best websites and so ensuring that they maximise their time on the Internet and find exactly what they are looking for, rather than having to battle with search engines.

The magazine has three main sections - news and features; a 40-page What Website? listings section and 16 page Step-by-step guide that runs from advice for beginners getting onto the Net through to tutorials for experts.

the net is on sale at news stands across the UK, and in association with Freeserve, the magazine is on sale in all Dixons, Curry's, The Link, PC World and @Jakarta stores. Subscriptions to the net are also available at www.thenetmag.co.uk

Technical details

MORI spoke to a nationally representative quota sample of 2,098 individuals. They were interviewed by MORI / Field & Tab across 167 constituency-based sampling points. Interviews were carried out using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) face-to-face in respondents homes between 23-26 July. Data has been weighted to reflect the national profile.