More than one in ten gamblers plan to bet more at the Cheltenham Festival this year than they did last year. In an extensive survey of British gamblers conducted by Online Betting Guide (OLBG) and YouGov, the signs are that some people may be keeping reserves back to wager on a big event where they may get more bang for their buck.

Over 1,000 gamblers across the country took part in the survey commissioned by affiliate site OLBG to look into the habits of those who bet.

And as horse racing’s biggest week, the Cheltenham Festival, arrives this week, the signs are that some people are changing their usual habits.

Asked about how much they would gamble in 2023 as a whole compared to 2022, 7% said they are planning to gamble more this year than over the previous 12 months.

The majority – 69% – say they will stake the same as they have done before with only 10% suggesting they would gamble less this year.

More money is staked on Cheltenham than in any other week of the horse racing calendar and when the excitement kicks off on Tuesday 14 March, British punters are unlikely to be reserved when it comes to staking their cash.

Only just over half those surveyed didn’t bet on the Festival last year and don’t plan to this year – showing what a huge event this is for regular gamblers.

6% who didn’t bet last year say they intend to get involved this time round, changing their previous habits.

Of those who bet on Cheltenham races in 2022, 11% of respondents said they are planning to spend more in 2022.

That ratio more than doubles in London, where one in four (26%) are planning to spend more, compared to the Midlands, where that figure drops to just 3%. Keeping to the same spending accounts for 23% overall, with just 9% suggesting they would rein things in and bet a smaller amount.

Overall, more than one in five Londoners are preparing to bet more in general in 2023 (22%). Across the country, the highest rates of those planning to spend more are in the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups.

OLBG spokesperson Richard Moffat said: “To see some gamblers preparing to spend more this year, or even betting on Cheltenham when they haven’t before, suggests that the excitement of the Cheltenham Festival is as strong as ever.”

Overall Gambling 2023 compared to 2022

7% plan to gamble more this year

69% plan to gamble about the same

10% plan to gamble less this year

14% don’t know

Cheltenham Festival Gambling 2023

11% plan to gamble more at Cheltenham this year than they did last year

10% plan to gamble less at Cheltenham this year than they did last year

23% plan to gamble about the same this year at Cheltenham as to last year

6% didn’t bet on Cheltenham last year but plan to this year

50% didn’t bet on Cheltenham last year and don’t plan to this year

Plans for gambling in 2023 compared to 2022

How would you compare the amount you plan to spend on gambling in 2023 to the amount spent in 2022?

Betting on the Cheltenham Festival during 2023 compared to 2022

Which one of the following statements best describe your plans for betting on the Cheltenham Festival this year compared to 2022?

The full OLBG/YouGov survey can be accessed here: https://www .olbg .com/news/gambling-study-reveals-one-ten-are-planning-bet-more-cheltenham-festival

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1007 UK Gamblers. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23rd February – 2nd March 2023.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK Gamblers (aged 18+).