A new survey has revealed that 72% of bettors – defined as respondents who have placed at least one bet in the last 12 months – believe there is more support available for people with, or who feel they have, gambling issues than ever before. The research, commissioned by open banking payment provider Yaspa ahead of Safer Gambling Week (17-23 November), assesses attitudes towards industry support mechanisms.
The belief that support has improved is strongest amongst the most active betting groups. E-sports bettors (80%), boxing bettors (79%), tennis bettors (79%), and football bettors (77%) show high levels of confidence.
This confidence among active participants is significantly higher than the general population, where 61% of all Brits believe support has improved. In stark contrast, only half (50%) of non-bettors believe more support is available, suggesting a perception gap between those inside and outside the betting ecosystem.
Confidence in support systems also varies by age, peaking at 69% among 35-44 year olds, compared to 55% for 18-24 year olds. Men (65%) were also more likely than women (56%) to agree that support has improved.
As the industry marks Safer Gambling Week, Yaspa highlights that while perception of support is one factor, the next frontier for player protection lies in prevention and real-time affordability checks. This is where open banking technology provides a critical solution.
With smarter Pay by Bank offerings, such as Yaspa’s Intelligent Payments solution, operators can securely access real-time, verified financial data to perform accurate affordability assessments with the consent of players. This moves beyond reliance on self-reporting and provides a tangible, data-driven way to ensure customers are betting at a level that is safe and affordable for them. This also removes the need for other checks in the sign up process, removing barriers for players and increasing conversion while maintaining security.
Renuka Rawlings, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Yaspa, said:
“It’s encouraging that a majority of Brits, and particularly active bettors, feel that support for gambling issues has improved. This positive sentiment, especially during Safer Gambling Week, shows the industry’s efforts are being recognised.”
“However, perception of support is only part of the puzzle. The real challenge is in prevention. The industry must now leverage technology to build a more robust, preventative framework. We believe open banking is the key. It allows operators to move from reactive support to proactive safety, using real-time, consented data to ensure affordability and protect customers before they are at risk. It’s about creating a transparent, secure, and genuinely safer environment for everyone.”
