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Most Britons pick guaranteed £50,000 over coin flip for £1m
In a YouGov survey of 4,600 adults, 73% chose the instant £50,000, with women backing it at 82% versus 63% of men.
A BBC Business analysis of a YouGov survey finds that when given the choice between instantly receiving £50,000 or flipping a coin for a 50-50 chance at £1m, most people chose certainty. Nearly three-quarters of the 4,600 adults polled, 73%, picked the guaranteed £50,000, while 21% preferred the chance of £1m and 6% could not decide.
The outlet highlights a sharp gender split in the results, with women selecting the guaranteed payout at 82% compared with 63% of men. The story also notes that men are more likely to invest in stocks and shares, while women are more likely to subscribe to cash ISAs, citing related research.
Age differences also emerged, with younger respondents more open to the gamble. Among those aged 18 to 24, 28% chose the coin flip, compared with 11% among people over 65.
BBC Business adds that the poll has prompted debate about whether Britons are more risk-averse than Americans, while underscoring that investment outcomes can depend heavily on timing, including the claim that a typical global fund would have needed just under 38 years to reach £1m from a £50,000 investment.