Number of UK betting shops drops to all-time low

[The Buzz]

The number of U.K. betting shops is at its lowest level since they were legalized in 1961. And given the regulatory challenges they are currently facing, the number is expected to continue to fall.

From Global Betting and Gaming Consultants:

The recent financial accounts of one of the leading independent betting firms succinctly highlights the issues they are facing:

“Changes to legislation and regulation continues to present the highest risk to the business. There is no indication that politicians will start to take an evidence-based approach to gambling regulation and it is possible that the retail betting industry will suffer further unwarranted punitive regulations.

There has been a considerable drop in UK betting shops numbers since 1 April 2019 and this trend is set to continue. The remaining shops could be put under further financial pressure as media rights companies seek unreasonable increases in charges to compensate for the reduction in income caused by the drop in shop numbers”.

See the chart below and to read more click here: https://www.gbgc.com/2020/02/06/numb...-all-time-low/

[newcustomeroffer]

The High Streets in the UK are dying in general and aside from the regulatory issues, there's fewer and fewer people venturing into the town centres so footfall is inevitably going to drop.

I suspect we'll continue to see a decline as bookies close those locations that aren't contributing to the bottom line and those shops that do survive will have to innovate in order to remain profitable.

[cantona07]

The High Streets in the UK are dying in general and aside from the regulatory issues, there's fewer and fewer people venturing into the town centres so footfall is inevitably going to drop.

I suspect we'll continue to see a decline as bookies close those locations that aren't contributing to the bottom line and those shops that do survive will have to innovate in order to remain profitable.

I agree, its a sad indictment of the times were living in. Most high streets now are full of poundshops.

[Pokerface]

Would this not be a natural evolution with the ability and convenience of online betting? From a top line I would not be surprised unless I am missing something.

[newcustomeroffer]

Would this not be a natural evolution with the ability and convenience of online betting? From a top line I would not be surprised unless I am missing something.

Yes, sure there's an element of that.

Plus punters are becoming more savvy over time, online bookies are often offering better odds/boosts/each way terms and that extends to the websites of High Street bookies. How many people sit in a Ladbrokes shop but use their app to place the bet with an odds boost rather than walking to the counter?

[betcode]

I imagine over time that betting shops will eventually become a thing of the past. As an older population dies off, younger bettors who are used to using mobile apps and computers will take their place and I doubt they will accept the inconvenience of heading off to a shop to place a bet.