There used to be betting shops on every corner of Britain’s high streets. William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and independent bookmakers occupied prominent retail positions.
Bettors gathered inside to watch races, study form guides and place bets with the staff behind the counters. That familiar scene faded as smartphone technology brought gambling directly to pockets across the country.
The change happened faster than industry analysts predicted. Mobile apps offered a convenience that physical stores couldn’t offer. In addition to traditional bookmaker applications, players also discovered platforms not belonging to GamStop casinos in the UK. The entire gaming landscape shifted from public retail spaces to interactions on private screens. Betting shops that had survived decades of social change struggled with devices that made gambling available anywhere, anytime.
The golden era of British betting shops
Betting shops became legal in the UK through the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960. The BBC documented how businesses spread rapidly in working-class areas. By 1970 there were thousands of licensed establishments across England, Scotland and Wales.
The stores served social functions that went beyond gambling. Regular customers formed communities around shared interests. Retirees spent afternoons discussing horses and football. The staff knew customers’ names and knew their betting preferences. The atmosphere combined leisure, competition and camaraderie.
Physical characteristics defined early betting shops:
- Minimal windows prevented passersby from observing the activities inside
- The simple setup discouraged longer visits
- Each operation was recorded manually on paper slips
- Tannoy Systems broadcasts race commentary
- Smoky air before the indoor smoking ban
Government restrictions deliberately kept stores unwelcoming. Lawmakers feared that a pleasant environment would encourage excessive gambling. This changed in the 1990s when deregulation allowed for improved facilities. Stores installed televisions, comfortable seating and, later, electronic gaming machines.
How technology first improved and then replaced physical venues
Betting shops embraced technology before smartphones existed. Electronic cash register systems replaced manual quota boards. Betting terminals with fixed odds came onto the market in the early 2000s. These machines generated significant revenue and changed the economics of business.
The Guardian reported that at their peak, FOBTs generated over half of betting shops’ profits. Customers played casino games on touchscreen terminals. Stakes reached £100 per spin before limits were lowered through regulatory intervention. Businesses became dependent on revenue from the machines rather than traditional counter betting.
Internet gambling came onto the market in the late 1990s. Desktop computers made it possible to bet at home without having to visit stores. Early adopters appreciated the convenience, but limited internet access limited the impact. Most customers continued to visit physical premises.
Smartphones have completely changed the equations. Mobile devices combined Internet connectivity with portability. Apps delivered better experiences compared to store visits. The technology reached mass adoption around 2012 when affordable smartphones became available to all income levels.
The smartphone revolution in gambling
Mobile gambling apps offered benefits that physical stores couldn’t replicate:
- 24-hour availability eliminated opening hours restrictions
- Privacy eliminated the social stigma that some players experienced
- Broader markets included sports and events stores, which were ignored
- Live betting allows betting during games
- Instant deposits via linked payment methods
- Promotional offers delivered personalized bonuses
According to the Gambling Commission, online gambling revenue exceeded retail gambling revenue for the first time in the mid-2010s. The transition point marked a fundamental industry shift. Digital platforms dominated while physical retail shrank.
The younger population group drove the change particularly strongly. Adults under 35 showed minimal interest in betting shop culture. They grew up with smartphones as their primary entertainment devices. The idea of driving to a store to place bets seemed absurdly inefficient. Mobile apps met their expectations for instant digital access.
The modern entertainment experience in Surrey and other affluent areas reflects broader trends. In addition to streaming services, food delivery and ride-sharing, residents also access gambling through apps. Physical venues compete with frictionless digital alternatives in multiple leisure categories.
Store closures changed high streets
The number of betting shops peaked around 2014, when there were around 9,000 licensed betting shops operating across the UK. The closures accelerated in the following years. Major operators announced hundreds of store closures each year. By 2023, the total number fell to under 6,500.
Sky News reported on the impact of the closure on employees and communities. Each store employed between four and eight people. Mass closures resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs concentrated in economically disadvantaged areas. Former betting shop employees often lacked transferable skills for alternative employment.
Empty premises led to visible decay on the main streets. Betting offices occupied prominent corner locations with good footfall. Vacant housing units attracted vandalism and anti-social behavior. Local authorities had difficulty finding replacement tenants for the gambling-specific equipment.
The consolidation affected the major operators differently:
| operator | Peak UK Shops | Current estimate | reduction |
| William Hill | 2,300+ | 1,400 | 40% |
| Ladbrokes Coral | 3,500+ | 2,400 | 30% |
| Betfred | 1,650 | 1,400 | 15% |
| Independent | 1,500+ | 900 | 40% |
Companies shifted their investments to digital platforms. Marketing budgets shifted from store renovations to app development and online customer acquisition. The strategic pivot identified where future growth would occur.
Restrictions on fixed odds betting, accelerated decline
Government intervention increased smartphone competition. The maximum stake on FOBTs was reduced from £100 to £2 in April 2019. This single regulatory change has destroyed the economics of betting shops.
Forbes analyzed how businesses depended on high-stakes slot games. Many facilities only operated profitably because FOBT revenues subsidized counter-betting operations. Eliminating this source of income immediately made marginalized businesses unprofitable.
Operators announced closure programs within weeks of share reductions taking effect. William Hill identified 700 stores for closure. Ladbrokes Coral followed with similar figures. The industry blamed the government for the policy, while critics noted that closures had already occurred before the intervention.
The combination of smartphone competition and regulatory restrictions proved devastating. Stores lost customers to mobile apps while also losing their most profitable product. The double pressure left no viable option for many rooms.
Who still uses physical betting shops?
The remaining shops serve specific customer segments that digital platforms find difficult to address:
Older players who learned to bet by visiting stores maintain habits developed over decades. You enjoy social interaction with staff and other players. Technological barriers prevent comfortable app use. This demographic ensures loyal customers, but these customers decline as members age.
Cash bettors who prefer anonymous transactions without bank records continue to use shops. Some want to hide gambling from partners or family. Others distrust digital payment systems. Cash transactions require physical premises.
Event day participants visit stores near stadiums before football games. The ritual of placing bets with other fans remains attractive despite the availability of the app. Stores near major sports venues perform better than average.
Problem gamblers excluded from online platforms sometimes return to stores. Self-exclusion schemes like GamStop cover online operators, but bans on physical stores require separate agreements. This creates worrying gaps in player protection.
