Betting Shops | What Are They? Which Bookies Occupy The High Street?

For decades, betting shops were the main way people placed bets in the UK. While online platforms now handle most betting activity, these high-street locations have not disappeared — and they continue to attract customers for reasons that go beyond convenience alone.

Betting shops offer a wide range of betting opportunities, covering sports like football, horse racing, and greyhound racing, as well as casino games. Many shops also provide live streaming for sports events, allowing customers to watch and bet as the action unfolds.

In regulated countries like the UK, betting shops are licensed by the government and are usually operated by major bookmakers such as William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfred, and Paddy Power. These brands run the majority of remaining high-street betting locations, even as the total number of shops has declined in recent years.

Unlike online betting, customers in UK betting shops do not normally need to open an account to place a bet. Most bets can be placed directly using cash or card. However, staff may ask for identification if a customer looks under 25, or if required by anti-money-laundering or safer-gambling regulations.

Betting shops are required to display responsible gambling messages and provide information about support services for people experiencing gambling-related harm.