The United Kingdom Government for several years has been trying to slow down the popularity of both high street and online gambling. The implementations have not worked, however, as over the last decade we have seen the popularity rise to record highs and this does not look like it will be slowing down any time soon. The tax payable on profits to 21% or the introduction of the gambling charter that includes casinos having to provide services such as Gamstop to help curve addiction but that has not stopped punters playing without Gamstop to get around the gambling ban it provides players.
Wales is one of the hotspots in Europe of online gambling with sports betting and casino games generating millions each year. The tax increase is expected to generate the Government a lot of additional revenue which they plan on using to provide a nationwide campaign to help solve the growing addiction problems caused by gambling. With the UK debt growing out of control and cutbacks needed in vital services such as hospitals, it remains to be seen if some of this additional capital raised through the gambling tax increase will be used to boost essential services.
The rise in the popularity of gambling in Wales has been fueled by the younger generation. These are the ones that are internet savvy, which is why we have seen a boom in online gambling taking place. Now punters do not even need a desktop computer to place bets as most betting activities are now carried out on mobile phone applications. The simplicity of making a wager is one of the major reasons why we are seeing the popularity rise, especially amongst the younger generation of below 35 years old.
Wales’s economy over recent years has been struggling and the high streets of all the towns located here have been struggling to get enough business to be able to keep the doors open. High street bookmakers and land-based casinos are not immune to this recession as they have been closing down in record numbers. That does not mean to say that the industry is struggling as the opposite is taking place. It is the consumer habits that have changed as they prefer the speed, simplicity, privacy or gambling online.
A growing number of the Wales population is calling for a total ban on gambling activity but as we have seen in other countries such as the USA, it does not work. Instead, it creates a huge black market that does not protect players or generate any tax revenue. Instead, the best route is by educating the general public on the dangers of gambling addiction, further regulation to help protect players, investment in free addiction help along with a ban on TV and sponsorship deals such as those seen in the EPL along with lower football leagues. If this can be achieved over the next few years, it should help the issues surrounded by betting activities so that it can still be enjoyed by those who can gamble responsibly.