A brave move by BoyleSports at a time when industry is under pressure

The high street is under intense pressure and betting shops are no exception so BoyleSports' decision to enter the UK retail sector represents a brave move.

The rise in online betting has put pressure on the retail sector, although the emergence of FOBTs stemmed the long-term contraction in numbers for many years.

However, the government's decision to reduce FOBT stakes to £2 from £100 has removed that safety net, with thousands of betting shops predicted to shut their doors forever in the coming months.