Poll commissioned for Entain links betting shops to high street spending
A YouGov survey publicised by Entain finds nine in ten betting shop customers combine visits with other local spending, as the sector braces for next week's autumn budget.
Nine in ten UK betting shop customers combine their visits with other local spending or activities on at least some occasions, according to a YouGov poll publicised on Entain's website.
The survey of 1,475 UK adults, reported by iGaming Business, found that 54% of betting shop users do this on most or nearly every visit.
Entain, which operates an extensive retail estate through its Ladbrokes and Coral brands, highlighted the figures as the autumn budget approaches within days.
Bejay Patel, the operator's managing director for the UK and Ireland, said the research confirmed what betting shop staff already understood: that shops act as a cornerstone of high streets and give local businesses a boost.
He added that the contribution betting shops make to the economy and to local communities deserved wider recognition.
The YouGov poll also probed attitudes towards the social role of betting shops. Some 68% of respondents described them as established high street fixtures, while 60% said they help sustain local employment.
Betting shops were rated positively as places to meet and interact with others by 76% of users, a figure close to the 77% recorded for cafés.
Entain has promoted such findings through its What's at Stake campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the positive contribution retail betting makes.
The poll lands at a tough moment for UK retail wagering. Both Betfred and Evoke have shut a substantial number of shops this year, and Flutter Entertainment this week said 1,400 jobs were at risk across its UK and Ireland operations as part of a restructuring drive.
The industry has already absorbed a rise in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%, introduced in April.
Further tax changes could follow. A group of Labour MPs has written to Chancellor John Healey urging an increase to machine games duty, amid speculation that Wednesday's budget could see the rate rise from 20% to 40%, though The Times has reported a cap at 25% is possible.
Betting and Gaming Council chief executive Grainne Hurst warned this week that even a modest increase would harm the sector.
"Any further tax increase would heap more pressure on an industry already facing substantial tax rises, threatening jobs, high streets and vital funding for British racing," she said, urging the chancellor to weigh the full economic consequences before the budget and to protect the jobs, businesses and sport that rely on the regulated industry.