A BonusFinder.com survey of 500 UK casino and bingo players found that 31% of players across all age groups gambled ‘somewhat more’ than their regular totals in the period from March to June this year, but that an almost equal amount (28%) gambled ‘the same’ as they would under normal circumstances.

A UK Gambling Commission survey earlier this month also found that overall participation had decreased while many were confined to staying at home, but that some engaged players spent more time and money gambling on certain products.

Crucially, the survey revealed that a combined 94% of gamblers were aware of responsible gaming tools during the last four months including deposit, session and time limits, take a break, self-exclusion and profit and loss information, with the over 45s three times less likely to know of RG facilities than their younger counterparts.

Encouragingly, only 5% of participants said they were unaware of RG tools with this figure falling to just about 3% for 18-24-year olds.

Deposit limits were found to be the most widely acknowledged responsible gaming tool among all respondents. Men (66%) were found to be more likely to be aware of deposit limits than women (61%), while this disparity grew when questioned about time out tools with only 44% of women saying they knew they were available compared to 54% of men. However, only 46% of men acknowledged session limits in contrast to 52% of women.

Fintan Costello, Managing Director, BonusFinder.com, said: “Our research has found that RG tools have been top of mind for players even when many have been confined to their homes due to government guidelines.

“As the UK emerges from this period, we can see that gambling levels have risen but to a lesser extent than we expected and crucially, that players are aware of the range of helpful RG tools available to them across many regulated brands.

“The industry is taking a great deal of positive steps to protect players and it is high time we focused on this. We must continue to educate and normalise RG tools across all ages as well as improve and increase education and awareness for younger adults.”