Bookmakers are part of the cultural heritage of the UK as much as pints of vodka are in Russia, and owning a huge yacht is in Monaco. So the fact that the industry is constantly being blamed, especially in the centre of the iGaming universe, London, shows the narrow-mindedness of the whole “gambling bad, everything we say good” debate. Thank goodness then for the betting shop overlord Ralph Topping and his people over at William Hill.
The age-old company, who have been part of the betting shop community for the best part of 80 years, and have their HQ in the London borough in question, Haringey, have taken offence to the charge that there’s too many betting shops on the streets of the aforementioned borough. Topping argues that the shops in fact bring a plethora of benefits such as providing a community within the community in which they exist, and both direct and indirect economic benefits.
It all comes as Haringey has launched an investigation into the rising number of betting shops in their borough, critics arguing that gambling venues and bookies are taking over in the area. The investigation, being conducted by the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, will take place on 10th November.
Topping added that the communities should take into account all earlier benefits before launching this type of “moral crusade” against companies like theirs. Here here! Bravo Mr Topping, and Mr Hill.
