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Dismal operator earnings only form part of the picture . Fallout from April 2023 ’ s white paper presents the bigger issue – in particular , affordability checks being introduced in 2024 .
In their present form , these checks greatly risk sending punters to the black market due to their intrusive nature . The issue , as many see it , is the increasing polarisation of views between the GC and the industry .
For example , it has been previously claimed by the GC that only 3 % of accounts will be subject to affordability checks . Much of the crux of the current debate has been centred around whether this figure is correct .
“ The GC ’ s own measure of how many betting accounts would be subject to affordability checks has been roundly criticised as inaccurate by many commentators ,” says Brown .
“ Rhodes now introduces another measure , ‘ gambling at the time ’, to support his own data but without definition of what that exactly means .”
The issue , in short , is that many of the accounts included in the other 97 % belong to “ occasional ” punters . These include those who only bet on major events , such as the Grand National , and thus are unlikely to place another bet for 12 months .
Inevitably , intrusive checks , if they continue as planned in 2024 , will see many regular punters , who form much of the backbone of the industry , stop using regulated online bookmakers .
FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVES
The UK , however , has proven itself extraordinarily resilient in the past and can do so again . The first bright prospect for growth in the regulated sector is the re-emergence of UK retail . Playtech Sports is fast making it a rival to online sportsbooks .
Despite a bad press , SSBT use is rising
Star Sports are enthusiastic horse racing sponsors
At the forefront of this digital revolution are the company ’ s self-service betting terminals ( SSBTs ), which are experiencing doubledigit growth . SSBTs now offer everything a punter can find online , with the same transactional speed .
As Lee Drabwell , managing director for Playtech Sports , emphasises , the ability to offer speed , convenience , and a seamless experience in retail betting shops is what drives market demand .
“ Gone are the days of customers asking for a price at the desk . Everything they want online is now available in a betting shop via terminals . All operators are fully engaged with this , and we ’ re seeing a significant increase in retail traffic as a consequence .” However , this also comes with the responsibility
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to ensure that customer safeguarding measures are in place . Drabwell is confident that Playtech Sports ’ SSBTs have a role to play in 2024 ; it ’ s a case of supply meeting demand . “ As long as investment continues in 2024 , we ’ ll continue to see increased traffic ,” he continues . “ BoyleSports , for example , has expanded into the UK and are doing very well . JenningsBet is another great example of investment and expansion , and we are now seeing nearly 100 % of independent operators taking our terminals .”
RETAIL : A BRIGHT FUTURE
So what ’ s the outlook for growth in 2024 ? “ There is plenty of potential for more growth ,” Drabwell says with the
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130 • ISSUE 135 • ICE LONDON 2024