E-news | Autumn 2016
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Welcome to the new e-bulletin from ABB Scotland, the trade body for high street bookmakers in Scotland, representing the interests of 5,000 industry employees across Scotland.
Gamble Aware Week comes
to Scotland
The second Gamble Aware Week has taken place in Scotland, with around 1000 betting shops across the country taking part in the campaign.
Throughout the week, betting shop windows across the country carried Gamble Aware posters highlighting the message “Never bet more than you can afford to lose.”
Politicians Corri Wilson MP and Maurice Golden MSP visited betting shops in their respective constituencies to find out more about the initiative and talk to shop staff about the industry’s efforts to promote responsible gambling.
During a visit to a Ladbrokes shop in Ayr, Ms Wilson said: “Betting shops make an important contribution to jobs and the economy, but the industry also has a responsibility to ensure that their customers gamble responsibly and proper protections are in place for those who find this a challenge. It is encouraging to see the range of measures being undertaken by the betting industry to raise awareness of responsible gambling among their customers and to prevent, identify and treat problem gamblers.”
New alerts for
gaming machines
New mandatory alerts have been introduced to remind gaming machine players what they are spending and how long they are playing for. Alerts will now appear on screen after someone has spent £150 or played for 20 minutes – previously, alerts were prompted after £250 or 30 minutes. ABB Chief Executive Malcolm George said: “The introduction of the new mandatory alerts on gaming machines is an important part of our wider responsible gambling agenda and will help customers to monitor and balance their leisure experience.”
The new alerts are one of a series of measures introduced by the ABB and bookmakers to promote responsible gambling. More information >
Supporting
problem gamblers
During Gamble Aware Week, ABB Scotland partnered with RCA Trust, a Paisley based charity which provides advice and support for people with addiction.
Throughout the week, RCA Trust held drop in sessions in Glasgow and Paisley, offering free and confidential advice to anyone worried about their gambling spend. More than a dozen people contacted the service. www.rcatrust.org.uk
New report debunks
bookmaker myths
A new report by the Institute of Economic Affairs has challenged perceptions about betting shops, including claims that fixed odds betting terminals have led to increased levels of problem gambling. The independent report finds that rates of problem gambling in the UK remain low by international standards. Read more >
MPs welcome industry action
Dozens of MPs from across the UK have signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion acknowledging the work of charities and the betting industry to promote responsible gambling. The Motion, tabled by Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Corri Wilson, pays tribute to charities such as Gamcare, RCA Trust and Gordon Moody for their outstanding efforts and welcomes moves by the betting industry to tackle problem gambling through initiatives such as the nationwide self- exclusion scheme, new mandatory alerts on gaming machines and Gamble Aware Week. Read the motion >
Scotbet
invests
in town
regeneration
Scotland’s leading independent bookmaker Scotbet has recently completed a major refurbishment of a disused retail unit in the Muirton area of Perth, part of an effort by Perth and Kinross Council to breathe new commercial life into the area.
Chairman John Heaton said: “We are delighted to have worked with Perth and Kinross Council to support the commercial regeneration of Muirton. This investment underlines the important contribution that bookmakers, part of our high streets for more than 55 years, are making to our towns and cities.” Scotbet employs around 170 staff across its 49 shops.
William Hill supporting local communities
William Hill shops across Scotland have been making a difference in their local communities. In Aberdeen, staff and customers have been supporting local charity Instant Neighbour, which provides food parcels for people in need. Staff in the north-east have also been raising funds to tackle Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SPH), with the company’s Peterhead team alone raising over £11,000 and even funding a dream holiday for one SPH sufferer. In Glasgow, William Hill’s latest community initiative – Close to Home – provides starter packs for previously homeless people who are moving into new homes.
Bookies on
the ball
Ladbrokes has stepped up its support for grassroots football in Scotland with a new sponsorship deal with Lowland League team East Stirlingshire.
The company will be the official shirt sponsor for the Shire for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
The deal was announced in the shadow of the Kelpies by first team players from East Stirlingshire and football legend Ian Durrant.
Meanwhile, Coral has renewed its sponsorship of Central Scottish League team Uddingston Anvil.
Betting shop numbers continue slow decline
Latest industry figures show the number of betting shops in the UK has continued to decline. Data published by industry regulator the Gambling Commission shows that more than 300 betting shops have closed over the past two years.
Currently, betting shops employ 5,000 people across Scotland and contribute more than £110 million in taxes and business rates.
However, ABB Scotland is concerned that the increased cost of regulation, combined with higher taxes, could put the future of many more betting shops in doubt, with a consequent impact on job numbers and tax contribution.
New Scottish representative
ABB Scotland has appointed a new Scotland representative. Glasgow based Donald Morrison joins the organisation with 18 years experience working in communications and public affairs. Between 2004 and 2009 he was head of media at Glasgow Airport before leaving to set up his own successful media consultancy.
ABB Chief Executive Malcolm George said: “We are delighted to welcome Donald to the ABB team. He has wide ranging experience of the Scottish political and media landscape and will be a strong advocate for the industry.”
ABB in the news
“A problem gambler will lose you business more than they will make you business,” The Herald. ABB Scotland Director Donald Morrison and Darren Young, Regional Manager for Ladbrokes, talk candidly about the industry’s efforts to tackle problem gambling. Read the article >
‘You can bet on Scots to gamble sensibly,’ The Scotsman. Why Scots are canny enough to decide when and how much to spend at the bookies. Read the article >