WSOP Europe / Editor / 29 August 2008 / Leave a comment

It is common knowledge that poker's popularity across the globe has increased massively over the last few years, particularly online, but, seemingly, growth in the UK over the last 12 months has stagnated, writes Rob Eddy.

I find it a little surprising, given the lengths I go to try and get my mates to join up through Betfair's 'Refer and Earn' scheme, but the latest figures released by the UK Gambling Commission suggest that the number of people participating in remote gambling has remained pretty much the same as last year.

The commission was set up to prevent people from being exploited by gambling but these latest figures come after a number of changes regarding gambling in the UK, ironic perhaps considering some rules on advertising have been relaxed.

It had been thought that the ability of companies to advertise on TV would result in a rise in the number of people gambling but not so, according to the latest research involving 8,000 people being surveyed.

Of those asked, 90.9% said they had not participated in any remote form of gambling, such as online poker, online sports betting or online bingo etc, which is pretty much identical to the figures released last year.

Gambling via a computer, laptop or handheld device still remains the most popular but interestingly there has been a rise (from 6% to 6.5%) in the number of females getting involved.

Personally I am happy at the moment because as a 'fish' it makes it slightly more possible - but only just - for me to win a place at the upcoming World Series of Poker Europe on the Betfair daily freerolls.

However, in the long run and, if I finally learn how to win at this game, I should be hoping for more players as it is their cash (as newbies) that I will be able to take from them - although for the time being, here's hoping that things remain the same.