Watching TV or Gambling Online: Which Is Better for Brits?
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In times long gone, television was one of the few forms of entertainment Brits had available at home. The advent of the internet, modern computing and smartphones drastically changed this.
In a world full of accessible new media, television has still held its ground. In the UK, more than 27.3 million households have at least one TV. However, surpassing the number of households with televisions is the number of adults who enjoy gambling using one of the many great UK online casinos. As of 2022, an estimated 32.65 million Brits were using online services to place bets.
With so many households having at least one TV and even more people gambling, two questions can be asked: Which form of entertainment is more popular, and which is better for Brits to engage in?
Watching TV
In the UK, there are plenty of fantastic channels and programs to watch on TV. Aside from the regular options like BBC and ITV, the state is also home to more than seven subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services. These include Amazon Prime Video, BritBox, Netflix, BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub.
A study conducted by the Office for National Statistics in 2023 revealed that subscribers to these SVODs and regular television channels are still watching plenty of programming. In fact, on average, Brits spend 2 hours and 17 minutes in front of the gogglebox daily.
Gambling Online
Although streaming services and television broadcasting in the UK boast many options, online gambling provides even more. As of the end of 2022, the country was home to more than 140 licensed online casinos that offer punters as many unique experiences when trying to court Lady Luck.
The players using these services, who often rely on casinos.com reviews for trusted gambling sites, generated a gross gambling yield of more than £6.44 billion in 2022 alone. A 2022 study showed that 21.2% of people who gamble do so at least twice a week, and a further 26.9% place bets at least once a week.
The Winner
Despite the growing number of punters enjoying these online gambling services, a 2022 study shows that there is still a clear winner between online casinos and TV. And lounging while watching the latest shows is still on top.
The study, conducted by Deloitte, surveyed all generations in the US and asked what their preferred form of entertainment at home was. All generations apart from Gen Z responded that they preferred watching TV and movies in the comfort of their own home.
But while the TV is still the clear favourite, it is not necessarily the best option for the modern British resident.
The Catch
Although watching shows may seem like a great way to relax and unwind after a long and taxing day, it does have some unique drawbacks. Among these is one discovered by the University of Glasgow in a 2020 study that monitored the effects of excessive television use.
The study found that 6% of all deaths in the country and a further 8% caused by cardiovascular disease were linked to spending too much time in front of the TV. The link is caused by insufficient time spent doing activities that require movement. Furthermore, as is common in many households, viewers enjoy snacking while watching – and these snacks aren’t generally healthy.
The same study concluded that if the time spent in front of the TV had been reduced to less than two hours (less than the current average in the UK), almost all of these deaths could have been prevented.
The Alternative
As an alternative, online gambling offers fewer risks, as play sessions are often limited to the amount of money that a player is willing to spend on bets. Gamblers are also less likely to lounge or snack while playing.
However, although punting online may be an alternative to watching TV, it also has unique risks and disadvantages. Primarily, online gambling generates a higher cost of entertainment than television – even if a household holds several subscriptions.
Aside from the cost, using online casino websites could result in a gambling addiction, particularly if done regularly. To curb this eventuality, the UK government and others around the world have strict regulations in place to prevent over-expenditure and (in some cases) restrict the amount of time spent betting; they have also made it compulsory to ensure players can access help easily.
On the other side of the proverbial coin, gambling provides a chance to win something back if players are lucky enough – which remains one of the primary reasons so many Brits enjoy casinos. Watching TV, however, has few material benefits apart from the entertainment factor it offers.
Which Is Better?
Although watching TV is clearly a more popular form of entertainment than gambling online, it may not remain so for long. With the iGaming industry experiencing massive growth and access to online casinos becoming more prevalent, the number of people who prefer gambling may soon overtake those who enjoy watching TV.
However, with both types of entertainment having unique (and sometimes worrying) effects, the answer to which is better for Brits cannot be determined. Watching TV costs less but is proven to cause long-term health effects. Gambling may cost more but offers the chance to win, although with the additional risk of problem gambling.
So, when it comes to gambling online or watching the latest shows and movies, the famous words of Socrates ring true: ‘Everything in moderation, including moderation.’ With this in mind, Brits can responsibly enjoy the latest content on the telly and the thrill of gambling alongside other activities that hold more benefit in the long run.
