Why Use A High Street Bookmaker?

The betting shops on the high streets has been the backbone for the industry of betting in the UK since it was legalised in the early 60’s, and without them the online world of betting wouldn’t be what it is now. The bookies weren’t just a place to gamble, they were a place to meet people and also a gathering point. If you wanted to bet (legally) in the bookie on the main street was your best bet.

The history of the High Street Betting Shop

The first high-street betting stores opened their doors in the year 1961. This was after Harold Macmillan passed a law that legalized betting establishments as a way of tackling the many illegal gambling venues throughout the country.

The business exploded, with 10,000 setting up shop within the first six months, and the market was booming within a short amount of time. At its peak, around 16,000 high-street betting shops could be found in the UK, but the introduction of online betting has seen the number decline to a mere half and is continuing to fall.

While bookmakers on the high street may be declining however, this is not a fair review of the gambling industry in general. In 2009, the UK economy entered a recession with many of the high street shops closing and town centres are being threatened with becoming ghost towns. While this was certainly negative effects on the bookshops in high streets but in a more circular way it gave them some respite. In an effort to revitalize high streets the government allowed bookmakers to reside in the unused buildings for a period of up to two years, without planning permission. Although it’s not a long-term solution however, it opens the way for the high bookmaker to return to the streets of the UK.

High Street Bookmaker Distribution and Density

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to discover a correlation between bookies locations and locations with very low employment rates, high benefits and a lower income levels. Bookmakers focus on these areas as they know they’re going to attract a higher volume of customers to their shops.

As a result, the whole in Tyneside has more bookmakers per hectare then the entirety of London and some of its boroughs and a high street in Newham has the highest number of bookmakers on a single road in the UK – 18. In city centre’s and otherwise more affluent areas, bookmakers tend be scarcer.

Are High Street Bookies Still Have A Place in Modern Day Betting?

Well the stats certainly don’t suggest that. The decline in high street bookmakers of almost 50 percent since their peak and an economy which is still showing no signs of a turnaround anytime soon certainly don’t help the cause. The increasing popularity of betting online sites is probably another piece of the puzzle.

It’s not all doom & despair for the gambler, nevertheless, betting online sites are so accessible since you can bet from anywhere at just the touch of one button. This also means that bookmakers have less expenses as they don’t have to pay the upkeep on numerous shops. This could eventually trickle down to their betting sites where they can afford to offer better odds as well as better betting deals, which favors the gamblers.

To sum up, it doesn’t look good for bookmakers on the high street. This is a market – just one of many experiencing major transformations. On the flip side however betting overall is likely to be experiencing its largest growth since the advent of betting shops. The industry is in the middle of the next stage in the development of bookmaking as we are used to it.

Therefore, why Do People Continue to Bet in High-Street Bookies?

Many of us remember the days that the only where you could place a bet, aside from at the racecourse, was the local high-street bookshops. Since the advent to online betting, more gamblers prefer betting from their homes, or whilst they’re out and about because of mobile technology thus raising the question of why people are still betting in bookmakers near me?

Keep Your Bets Private From Your Partner

There’s no way around the fact that some people don’t like their spouses gambling, forcing those who gamble to the high-street bookies where they’re often missing-out on juicy bonuses or a variety of other benefits that many bookies offer to customers on the internet. If that’s the reason you’re betting on the high street, you should consider following the tips of one or more of the very successful Betting Gods’ experts, because that will result in money in your bank over the long run – and put a smile in your wife’s eyes.

Friendly Banter

If you’re one of the individuals who prefer going to the local bar to have a drink and chat with your mates rather than drink at home If so, an afternoon at the bookshops might have similar appeal. While online betting offers greater options, occasionally having a betting session in the bookies can be a fantastic method of bonding with your pals, especially where there’s a local pub right next door, too.

Taking Early Prices

Sometimes, a visit to the bookshops is worthwhile, as it’s often easier to get on at the early price of some of the big bookshops on the high street. William Hill are often the most generous since they’ll typically hold the price of the horse for an agreed period of time in order to allow the shop-hoppers to take advantage of. There are some limitations that may be in place however it’s not a problem for placing a bet on a horse that you can bet online or at the bookies.

Accounts Closing

If you ask professional punters about their betting habits in bookies with high-street prices, the most common answer comes from having had their online account canceled because it was too successful, but still want to get the best odds – and no effort is too much for a professional punter!

Spreading the Load

If you’re a winning punter in your own right, or have been able to win because of one or more or more Betting Gods tipsters, it’s generally a good idea to share the burden by dividing betting on different bookies. Making smaller bets in many bookies means your success will often go unnoticed, and help avoid the risk of having restrictions placed on your accounts or even having them closed completely. High street bookies are always worth considering when adopting this strategy.