Data from the biggest operators representing 80% of the online market, showed online gambling gross gambling yield (GGY) fell by 12% month-on-month for August, down to £406m ($527.9m).

This was attributed to the fact European football, including the English Premier League, entered a summer break, which led to 21% decrease in sports betting GGY from July, down to £164.4m.

This was the second consecutive month-on-month fall in both online and sports betting GGY since April, which both decreased by 4% in July, following a pent-up demand for the verticals after all major sport was suspended in mid-March, until May.

The data also showed that the number of bets taken place online was down 2%, while the amount of sports bets placed decreased by 12%.

Slot games was the only online vertical to see a rise in GGY for August, up 1% to £164.1m. Poker fell 8%, down to £8.3m, while esports betting revenue continued to fall after a boom earlier this year, decreasing by 29% to £1.8m. Virtual betting GGY also fell, by 16% down to £6.6m, while other casino games was down 10%, to £59.5m.

The Gambling Commission said: “Gambling behaviours continue to evolve as the country responds to challenges posed by Covid-19, but further underlines the importance of the Commission’s updated guidance to operators.”