Traditionally, British Bookmakers have been located at the racecourse, but improved TV coverage and laxer laws have allowed betting shops and casinos in most countries. In the UK, trackside Bookmakers still mark up the odds on boards beside the race course and use tic-tac or mobile phones to discuss odds between their staff and to other Bookmakers. With the relaxation of bookmaking laws online gambling are at an all-time high.
In 1961 the Government legalised betting shops and tough measures were enacted to ensure that bookmakers remained honest. A large and respectable industry has grown since. At their peak there were over 15,000 betting shops operating in the UK. They have now been reduced to about 8,500. Currently there are four major high street bookmakers in the UK: William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and the state-owned Totesport.
With the arrival of the World Wide Web, most if not all notable bookmakers have an online brand, usually where punters can check prices and place cash bets. The main websites only accept bets from countries where online gambling is not prohibited and from people over 18 years old. Often these websites are linked to online casinos. According to the UK's help and advice organisations for addicts, GamCare and Gamblers Anonymous, the explosion of online gambling is being linked to an increase in gambling addiction.
Most televised sport in the United Kingdom and Europe are now sponsored wholly or partly by Online Bookmakers and high street Bookmakers, with sometimes several Bookmakers and online casinos being displayed on players' shirts, advertising hoardings, stadium signs and competition event titles.
With the recent banning of tobacco sponsorship, and the significant commercial budgets available to the gaming and UK online bookmakers industry, sponsorship by car manufacturers, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and fast food marketers is being rapidly replaced by sponsorship by gambling companies. |
UK Online Bookmakers
