Online Gambling for Couples – Is This a Growing Trend

Posted by Harry Kane on Friday, June 17, 2022

Historically, there are many activities thatremain synonymous with romance and loving couples. These include country walks and candle-lit dinners for two, which retain a generic and universal romantic quality that appeals to couples across a broad range of demographics. However, individual couples can also unlock the romance in their relationships by pursuing shared interests.

These even include historically solo pursuits like online gaming, which according to recent research by EE, is considered to be an attractive romantic quality in the digital age and something that couples can celebrate together. But what exactly does the research tell us, and do the same trends apply to online gambling?

What Does the EE Valentines’ Day Study Tell Us?

In total, some 58% of Brits say that online gaming has the potential to “boost romantic relationships”, so long as both parties retain an interest in the pastime. What’s more, some 28% of couples now frequently game together on a weekly basis, while 52% even leverage the pastime to diffuse tensions within the relationship or resolve arguments.

Of course, this trend is more prevalent among younger couples, with over a fifth of respondents aged between 16 and 24 now more likely to engage in online gaming as part of a regular ‘date night’. Interestingly, this is increasingly preferred to enjoying a romantic meal, heading to the cinema or even streaming movies through Netflix.

Of course, such figures reflect the basic premise that online gaming is a relaxing and mindless pastime that’s ideal when looking to relax from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the age of digital and online gaming, this pastime is also highly immersive, and one that can help you to build relationships in the first place.

According to EE’s survey results, nearly two-thirds (64%) of Brits agree that gaming helps them to relax, improving their mood and existing relationships. This is a significant number and telling insight, and one that highlights the innate capacity of gaming for alleviating the stress of a hectic work or personal life.

But what are the most popular types of online games? Well, according to EE, puzzles and classic party games are the most widely enjoyed by couples, while such experiences can

also be shared physically and in person. Multiplayer games that involve strategy are also popular (such as real-time strategy titles), as are those that involve sport and elements of competitiveness.

Do Couples Engage in Online Gambling?

Online gambling and casino gaming verticals are also increasingly popular, especially among the same younger demographics who have experienced gamification as a key part of their lives. Of course, online gambling participation rates have increased across virtually all age ranges since 2017, but this trend is particularly prominent among younger players and couples.

For example, 23.5% of people aged between 25 and 34 engaged in some form of online gambling in the year ending September 2017, while the corresponding figure for the 35-44 demographic was 22.5%.

These figures had increased significantly by the year ending September 2021, during which time 25.2% of people aged between 25 and 34 gambled regularly. As for those aged between 35 and 44, the figure increased even more markedly to 28.8% during the reporting period, creating a higher proportion of individuals and couples who like betting online.

Subsequently, people seeking a potential partner are increasingly inclined to refer to a love of online gaming and gambling as a key compatibility trait in the digital age. So, Brits are more likely to engage in a romantic relationship with someone who has similar gaming and online interests, as this trend will only become more prevalent as iGaming participation rates increase.

According to EE, one-in-10 respondents considered a shared love of gaming and gambling as the single most important compatibility trait, surpassing more traditional examples such as star signs and personality characteristics. This is a significant development, and one that perhaps highlights the growing digitisation of everyday life and relationships.

Given that this is likely to persist for the foreseeable future at least, we should expect iGaming to continue to unite couples across the length and breadth of the UK. It certainly creates a shared point of interest for couples, and one that could be crucial when looking to de-escalate tensions or aid the relaxation process.

Is Online Gambling a Safe Pastime?

Of course, some may argue that online gambling is not a particularly safe or responsible pastime, with the practice linked to a number of societal harms. People also cite issues pertaining to addiction and compulsive gambling, which has a significant human cost and detrimental impact on the wider economy.

However, the rate of problem gambling has largely stagnated during the last decade in the UK, even as participation rates and online account signups have increased incrementally. At the same time, research from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has confirmed that the majority of Brits gamble just £2.57 per week, equates to an annual spend of £133 online.

So, there’s no reason why couples of all ages should bond over a love of online gambling in 2023, especially if they wager responsibly and are motivated by the fact that they enjoy verticals such as slots or live casino gameplay. Responsible bankroll management is also key here, of course, as you and your partner should never bet an amount that you can comfortably afford to lose.

Ultimately, we’d expect online betting to become increasingly prevalent in the UK, as the niche continues to dominate the wider gambling industry on these shores. It will also continue to unite couples who enjoy a shared passion for online betting, enabling them to spend quality time with one another!