Employees across the UK are using online gaming sites to indulge in a bet break during work, according to a recent poll.
Research by gaming site Roxy Palace revealed that one in 20 employees aged 45 and under had treated themselves to a flutter while at work during the last 12 months.
The rise in popularity of gaming apps is thought to be the main driver behind the trend, with workers able to circumvent restricted internet access, placing bets through their smartphones and tablets.
A spokesperson for the Roxy Palace site said that due to a rise in the popularity and availability of online gambling it wasn’t surprising that many workers were turning to bet breaks as a way of removing tedium during their day. “We all like to break up our day in different ways, whether it be making a quick cup of coffee, stepping outside for a cigarette, or going for a walk. However, it seems an increasing number of workers are now turning to online gambling as a way to inject some excitement into their day.”
More than three quarters (76 per cent) of those who admitted to gambling at work did so on mobile devices, such as smartphones and iPads, rather than through company PCs and laptops.
The poll also revealed that men were nearly nine times as likely as women to gamble while at work (89 per cent compared to 11 per cent). Peak gaming time was revealed to be between 1-3pm.
One employee who was polled said that he feels it is justified given that he works long hours without a break. “My employer blocks most external websites so I usually nip off to the toilet and bet on my iPhone. It’s so easy and quick to place a bet or play a casino game that it’s pretty rare anyone even notices that I’m gone.”
