Betting shop staff and customers call on the Prime Minister to back local bookies
Association of British Bookmakers
325,000 betting shop staff and customers have backed a petition calling for the Government to support an industry that has been a key part of high streets and town centres for 55 years.
The petition, part of the Back Your Local Bookie campaign, was presented to 10 Downing Street by betting shop staff representing major operators and family-run businesses.
At present, betting shops have more than 6 million customers, directly employ over 43,000 people and contribute each year in excess of £1bn in taxation and £76m in business rates, as well as paying each year £250 million to horse racing and £35 million to greyhound racing through levy and media rights payments.
Betting shops have voluntarily introduced a range of responsible gambling measures in the last two years that go far beyond what is required by law and have set out a substantial plan of further measures as agreed with the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board.
They will continue to work closely with the Government and the Gambling Commission in developing these new measures to help identify problem gamblers and ensure that they get the help that they need.
Vicky Knight, who works for independent bookie Jennings Bet and has signed the petition, said:
“The support we’ve had from our customers over the past few weeks for our campaign has been fantastic. They enjoy their local bookie and would be devastated, as would staff, if the Government took draconian action against bookies.
We care about our customers and we are there to help the very small number of customers who get into problems with their gambling. Bookies cater for millions of people who enjoy over-the-counter betting and gaming machines (FOBTs), if we lose either of these, we are finished. And, without bookies, there will be even more empty shops and fewer reasons for people to come into town.”
The Back Your Local Bookie campaign was launched after almost 300 betting shops have closed in the last two years as a result of more regulation and higher taxes. Customers and staff now fear there could be hundreds more closures if more unnecessary regulation is introduced by the Government.
Malcolm George, Chief Executive of the Association of British Bookmakers, said:
“Britain’s betting shops have been open for business on our high streets and in local communities since before The Beatles.
They have a long record of ensuring customers can bet safely and responsibly and it is vital that the work of staff and the voice of our six million customers are not ignored. We hope politicians and the public will visit their local betting shop to see for themselves what a great community they are and talk to the staff and locals who enjoy their flutter at the bookies.”
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