What does the future hold for betting shops - and what will they look like?
Lee Mottershead talks to industry leaders 60 years after shops' legalisation
The Sixties started swinging for punters on a Monday in May six decades ago. On May 1, 1961, betting shops became legal in the United Kingdom. They looked nothing like those of today. There is a good chance the betting shops of tomorrow will also look very different to the ones we know now.
The legalisation of shops was welcomed not only by punters. Thanks to the decision taken by Harold Macmillan's government, bookmakers had never had it so good, all except those who could not afford to move from the wrong to the right side of the law.
Street betting had been rife prior to the legalisation of betting shops. Fred Done remembers the era well, for his father was one of those who made the jump. Having spent two years in the felonious family firm, he made the jump with him.
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Published on 3 November 2021inFeatures
Last updated 16:31, 3 November 2021
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