There is fear of closure amongst many a betting shop in the UK, it has been reported, due to the rapid growth of online gambling over recent years.Online sports betting, bingo, and casino options have flown in terms of popularity over the last few years, and as a result many people choose to stay at home to do their gambling, or access their gambling accounts from their mobile while on the move, instead of physically visiting a land-based betting or gambling establishment.
ONS
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported that betting shops are definitely suffering in the UK, although some areas have been hit substantially harder than others.While some areas remain stable, the rise in the number of betting shops closing around the country has been apparent, with the rising prices of rent being considered the second biggest effect on this, behind online gambling.
Rising online profits
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) released data that suggested that during the period between October 2016 and September 2017, a third of total gambling revenue in the UK came from online gambling, a number that is expected to have risen again this year.
Concerns
There are concerns over the issues that may be brought about by online gambling increasingly becoming the first stop for gamblers, with Marc Etches, Chief Executive of GambleAware, saying:“Retailing is moving from the high street to online, and gambling is no different. We are very concerned there are potentially no limits to the amount gamblers can lose online.”While betting shops have been hit hardest here, with three-quarters of closures in the gambling market being bookmakers and sports betting establishments, there is also an effect on the casino world, with casinos and arcades making up the other quarter of closures, and this doesn’t look set to change any time soon.