There is no doubt that over the last fifty years, the Great British high street has experienced a gradual decline, with a myriad of factors influencing this decline. From the establishment of suburban areas away from town centres to the development of out-of-town shopping complexes and supermarkets, the high street has consistently suffered painful blows that have been tough to take. The emergence of the internet and the digital era following the turn of the 21st century has further compounded these issues, with many of the traditional high street businesses now moving online.
One such industry that has experienced a rapid shift to online environments in recent years has been the gambling industry. Rapidly evolving over the last decade, the emergence of iGaming has been significant, with reports suggesting that 40% of the gambling market is now online.
Has the high street been impacted?
The short answer is yes, the rapid transformation of the industry that has taken place in such a short amount of time has, without doubt, contributed to the decline of the high street.
Betting shops are becoming obsolete
Once upon a time, bookmakers and betting shops were the only venues to place legal, regulated bets on sports and other activities. With the emergence of betting sites and the creation of betting apps like Bet365 and Unibet, designed to enhance the user experience, these historic establishments have in some ways become obsolete. Many people prefer the convenience of gambling from the comfort of their own home, while the apps they use often show content tailored to their interests. The result of this is that, unfortunately, many betting shops have closed their doors for good, leading to vacant storefronts and an empty feeling on Britain’s high streets.
Declining foot traffic at traditional casinos
In a similar vein, the nation’s land-based casinos have struggled to keep up with the competition faced by online rivals. While the true experience of some of the country’s premier establishments cannot be recreated online, innovative developers have added several features to online platforms to entice new customers, such as lucrative welcome bonuses and loyalty programs. Furthermore, we’ve seen huge growth in the third-party sector, where a site like Casino.org rates online platforms to make sure that players know which casinos are worth playing and which ones to avoid. That being said, the resilience of brick-and-mortar venues is strong, with most UK cities still home to at least one casino venue, and while online slots are now popular, there is still seemingly a market for in-person ones.
Legislative changes to address financial difficulties
Following last year’s release of the gambling white paper, High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age, the UK government has made its intentions clear with regard to updating the country’s gambling laws to better regulate iGaming activities. While these legislative changes have certainly been welcomed, with many understanding the requirement to instil safe and responsible practices for consumers online, proposed changes to taxation on all gambling activities could have indirect implications for land-based venues. With the possibility of even larger tax levies on bookmakers and casinos, the strain on business revenues could soon become even greater.
Reasons to be optimistic
On the other hand, while the emergence of online casinos has certainly changed the outward appearance of the gambling industry, it’s not necessarily all negative, with a number of positive aspects rising to the surface.
An improved user experience
It’s easy to paint the picture that iGaming platforms have simply taken the customer base away from their traditional counterparts, but in fact, the convenience, accessibility, and enjoyment of online casinos have attracted a whole new audience, who would not otherwise participate in gambling activities. In many ways, the emergence of online casinos has created a new strand of the gambling industry which, instead of rivalling traditional venues, is complementing them. Ultimately, the improved user experience available online is good for players, and that is an important factor when considering the pros and cons of online gaming environments.
Businesses have adapted to change
Furthermore, many of the leading high street businesses have adapted to the industry evolution, creating hybrid experiences that are both online and on the high street. Two of the UK’s oldest and most recognizable bookmakers, Ladbrokes and William Hill, both now have apps and websites for customers to use instead of going to their traditional venues. This highlights that many leading gambling businesses were in fact part of the gambling transformation, aware of the requirements to evolve in an increasingly online world. Other land-based venues that remain have adapted in different ways, promoting the unique aspects of traditional gambling that cannot be recreated online. Casinos across the country continue to host themed nights and exciting live events to attract customers.
High streets are changing too
Just as the makeup of the gambling industry is constantly evolving, so too are our high streets. Change is inevitable, and it’s easy to look back in time with rose-tinted glasses instead of looking towards the future. The emergence of community projects like Power to Change and High Streets for All is kickstarting the revolution to enhance our high streets, with plans to reimagine underused buildings in town centres as public spaces that will bring communities and cultures closer together. While the future of our high streets may look different, that might not be a negative.
Ultimately, the current decline of the high street is indicative of changing consumer preferences on a wider scale, with the emergence of online casinos just one small part of a wholesale shift in the way people spend their money and time. The rise of online clothing giants like Shein and ASOS has turned clothes shopping on its head, while rapid food delivery apps like Deliveroo have made takeaway, as opposed to eating out, the preferred choice for many. It cannot be denied that the digitisation of our lives has had a profound impact on our high streets, but that does not signal the end for our treasured town centres. While it’s true they may be struggling to keep pace with the rhythm of the modern world, careful management and specific community planning can ensure that the hearts of our towns continue to pulse.
