Entain-funded YouGov survey finds 90% of bettors spending on the high street

Entain commissioned a YouGov survey published on 26 October 2026 that found 90% of betting shop customers combine visits to bookmakers with other shopping, spending or local activities. The poll of 1,475 UK adults also reported that 54% of customers do so on most or nearly every visit. The findings were released as the retail betting sector faces shop closures, job cuts and mounting tax pressure ahead of the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

Survey results and public perceptions

YouGov asked a representative sample of UK adults about behaviours and attitudes toward betting shops. The headline figures are:

• 90% of betting shop users said they pair a bookmaker visit with other high-street activity at least some of the time.

• 54% said they combine betting-shop visits with other spending on most or nearly every visit.

• 68% described betting shops as established fixtures on the high street.

• 60% said betting shops support local employment.

• Among betting shop users, 76% viewed them positively as places to meet and socialise; cafés scored 77% on the same metric.

Entain published the findings as part of its What’s at Stake campaign to highlight betting shops’ contribution to local economies and communities. Entain operates one of the UK’s largest retail betting networks through its Ladbrokes and Coral brands.

"This research confirms what our hard-working colleagues know to be true – betting shops are a cornerstone of every high street and provide a boost to local business," said Bejay Patel, managing director of Entain UK and Ireland. "We need to recognise the important contribution betting shops make to our economy and local communities alike."

Context: closures, job cuts and tax changes

The survey’s publication coincides with a difficult period for UK retail betting. Several operators have announced cuts to their retail estates this year: Betfred and Evoke, the owner of William Hill, have both announced sweeping betting shop closures. Flutter disclosed a restructuring that could affect 1,400 jobs across its UK and Ireland operations.

Taxation shifts are also reshaping operator economics. Remote gaming duty rose from 21% to 40% in April 2026. The rate of General Betting Duty for online bets is scheduled to increase to 25% from April 2027. The sector expects the Chancellor to announce changes to Machine Games Duty (MGD) for land-based venues in the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026.

"Any further tax increase would heap more pressure on an industry already facing substantial tax rises, threatening jobs, high streets and vital funding for British racing," said Grainne Hurst, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council.

Where the findings fit in the industry debate

Entain is using the survey to argue that betting shops generate broader economic activity beyond gambling and therefore merit consideration in fiscal policymaking. The research shows a majority of respondents linking bookmaker visits to additional high-street spending and local employment.

Operators and industry bodies intend to cite those figures during the political debate around MGD and other tax measures. The publication arrives two days before the Autumn Budget, when officials are widely expected to set out the UK government’s stance on land-based gambling taxation.

Implications for high streets and policymaking

The data frames betting shops as community-facing retail outlets: substantial shares of respondents view them as established high-street fixtures and contributors to local jobs. At the same time, the sector is confronting store closures and workforce impacts announced by Betfred, Evoke (William Hill), and Flutter’s restructuring.

Entain’s campaign and the YouGov findings create a succinct evidence point for industry stakeholders making the case that changes to MGD or further tax rises could have knock-on effects for employment and local retail economics.

Notes on methodology and publication

YouGov polled 1,475 UK adults; Entain released the results on 26 October 2026 as part of the What’s at Stake campaign. The findings were published ahead of the UK Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026, when changes to Machine Games Duty are widely expected to be announced.