The gambling industry is represented by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism. The hospitality, travel and tourism sector incorporates the following industries: contract food service providers, events, gambling, holiday parks, hospitality services, hostels, hotels, membership clubs, pubs, bars and nightclubs, restaurants, self-catering accommodation, tourist services, and visitor attractions. The sector accounts for a workforce of 2.1 million, most of which are based within the restaurants, hospitality services, and pubs, bars and nightclubs industries. The roles within the sector are extremely diverse and include managers, technical staff, front-of-house staff, back-of-house staff, and non-core staff.
The gambling industry includes: casinos; bingo halls; betting; football pools; lotteries; and machines (such as amusement arcades). The industry has grown over the last year, due in part to the popularity of online gambling.
Key facts:
- There are 94,600 people working in the gambling industry.
- 19% of the workforce has an NVQ Level 4 or above qualification.
- The majority of the workforce has a NVQ Level 2 qualification (26%).
- 14% of the workforce has no qualifications.
- 69% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
Jobs in the industry range from: bingo callers, croupiers, betting shop cashier, assistant general manager, betting assistant manager, cleaner, inspector, pit boss, tele‐betting telephone operator, bingo manager.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are approximately 4,900 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 33% of the workforce is 35‐39 years
- 64% work full‐time
- The majority of the workforce has no qualification (31%)
East of England – There are approximately 7,500 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 62% of the workforce is female
- 20% of the workforce is 50‐54 years
- 27% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification
London – There are approximately 13,200 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 54% of the workforce is female
- 71% of the workforce is white
- 27% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 27% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
North East – There are approximately 7,700 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 22% of the workforce is 50‐59 years
- 61% work full‐time
- 30% of the workforce has no qualification
North West – There are approximately 13,400 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 29% of the workforce is 25‐29 years
- 71% work full‐time
- 42% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
South East – There are approximately 10,100 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 60% of the workforce is female
- 87% of the workforce is white
- 26% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 37% of the workforce has an NVQ level 4 qualification
South West – There are approximately 5,200 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 45% of the workforce is female
- 23% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 33% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
West Midlands – There are approximately 8,100 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 94% of the workforce is white
- 25% of the workforce is 25‐29 years
- 71% work full‐time
- 27% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 and entry level qualification
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are approximately 8,700 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:
- 21% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 68% work full‐time
- 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Northern Ireland – There are approximately 43,900 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Northern Ireland, of which 1,200 work in the gambling industry in 100 establishments. Details are as follows:
- 56% of the workforce is male
- 69% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification
Scotland – There are approximately 183,500 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Scotland, of which 10,700 work in the gambling industry in 1,200 establishments. Details are as follows:
- 78% of the workforce is female
- 27% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
- 28% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Wales – There are approximately 86,100 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Wales, of which 3,900 work in the gambling industry in 600 establishments. Details are as follows:
- 70% of the workforce is female
- 27% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
- 38% of the workforce has no qualifications
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]