The title of this article probably isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s interesting to see the results of a statistical study related to the demographics and habits of poker players. A report from Jackpot.co.uk of 2,131 active British gamblers was released in recent days and revealed that players in our industry tend to skew thin, young, and festive.

According to the report, “Poker players have the joint second lowest BMI of 25 (along with baccarat) and were the youngest in our survey with an average age of 38.” The average age of all members of the study was 43, meaning poker players skewed five years younger. The average BMI was 27, slightly above the normal range.

A typical adult BMI, as outlined in the study, is 18.5 to 25, so poker players are in the normal range, albeit at the very upper limit of it.

In terms of alcohol consumption, the study noted, “Slots, poker, and baccarat had the biggest percentage of respondents who drank over the recommended weekly limits for alcohol consumption (24%, 23%, and 20%, respectively). Female slots and male poker players were the most likely to exceed the recommended weekly limit of alcohol units (26% and 25%, respectively).”

Poker was the second most-participated-in game in the study at 15%, or 313 respondents. It trailed only slots, which came in at around 50%, not surprising given the source of the study.

Speaking of slots players, the group had the highest BMI at over 30, while Pai Gow players tended to drink virtually nothing in excess and had a BMI of around 22.

If you think poker players are generally lazy, think again. The report detailed that poker players do in fact value exercise: “Poker players were most likely to meet the recommended physical activity requirements, with 58% engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes, five times per week. Conversely, a slots player was least likely to exercise, with only 27% saying they met the government exercise recommendations.”

Poker players were among the least likely group to smoke, coming in at just over 20%. Also examined was the use of mobile devices, with about one-fifth of the group saying they primarily play casino games on their phones. Finally, poker players were about 60% male.

Check out the full study results.

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