Gambling is a huge industry in the UK, ever since ex-Labour PM Tony Blair’s government has liberalised the UK’s gambling laws by introducing the Gambling Act 2005. This act was introduced in 2007, enabling various known high street gambling companies, as well as new online websites both from the UK and abroad to enjoy huge growth over the past decade.
More people than ever before use mobile apps and websites to try their luck with on online casino games or a even weekly punt on sports games. Therefore, it is no surprise that fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBT) on some of the high street establishments have been hit hard by this year’s Conservative government decision to tackle gambling addiction at FOBT’s across the country. The government enforced a maximum £2 bet per machine which reduced the overall taking per machine, as previously, gamblers were able to bet up to £100 every 20 seconds. This August, William Hill reported that they have made a loss of £820m as the FOBT accounted for a large chunk of the UK gambling firm’s revenues.
The overall gambling industry which includes the National Lottery, FOBT’s and online gaming was reported to have reached a staggering £13.8bn in the UK only two years ago, with online gaming accounting to £4.5bn of the gambling industry. Some of the Best Betting Sites UK offer punters the ability to choose an introductory offer from various betting websites throughout the year.
These offers are often seen before and during a football match on many Sports channels including Sky Sports and BT Sports. It is no longer a secret to many football fans that many football clubs in the Premier League and Championship have gained a lot through allowing sponsorship deals for gambling companies to be displayed on football kits, football grounds and on the football websites. Astonishingly, shirt sponsorship by gambling companies in the Premier League is worth nearly £50m this season.
The UK has been and seemingly will continue to be a country that is open to gambling to take place, it is part of the culture of the people. Many still enjoy placing a bet on the most peculiar sounding name on the Grand National horse race and might buy the odd lottery ticket every now and then.
Leave a Comment