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Banking on the Future of UK Betting Shops
Down the years, if you were hard-pushed to find a bookmaker’s shop in a typical UK town you would make for the nearest pub, knowing that the betting shop would be strategically located close to the ale pumps. Far from being a nefarious marketing strategy, it was seen as cultural: a few pints, a quick bet on the football or horse racing.
Of course, there are still plenty of betting shops in the UK, many of which are located strategically next to the ‘boozer’. In fact, around 8,000-9,000 outlets are still operating as of March 2018. Although numbers peaked in the 1970s and 80s (at around 16,000), it must be said that the traditional bookmakers shop has been reasonably resilient, despite many prophecies of doom.
The interesting aspect is that the betting shops have not really changed all that much over the years. We live in an era of digital disruption, one where the traditional high street is changing beyond recognition: DVD stores and books shops have been supplanted by Amazon. Clothes shops are also having a difficult time in the face of competition from online rivals. High street retailers are being asked to adapt in order to survive – why aren’t bookmakers’ shops doing the same?
Shops have changed slightly
Certainly, there have been some slight changes to the make up of a typical betting shop. You can walk into a William Hill shop, for example, and fund or withdraw from your online account. Electronic betting terminals, too, have changed the way we bet in the shops. Effectively, those terminals allow us to bet online without an account. It has been pointed out that, in the world of betting, cash is still king. Not only is there a level of anonymity to walking into a shop, but there is also a psychological reward to getting winnings in real cash as opposed to a number on a computer screen.
Still, we know that eventually the digital option will likely win out. The benefits of betting online make it inevitable. Take, for example, Betfred, a brand that has bucked the trend slightly by adding dozens of new shops last year. Why would you walk into a shop as a new customer, when you can enjoy Betfred betting offers, including free bets, to use online on any sport you like? Why back Manchester United at 13/2 to win the Premier League in a shop, when you could lose the receipt over the course of a nine-month season?
FOBTs limits may cause closures
You cannot talk about betting shops in the UK without mentioning the media’s cause célèbre from the last few years – fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). Steps have been taken to limit the maximum bet on these games to £2 (down from £200), in a move that many bookmakers have said would spell disaster in terms of shop closures. Much of the revenue for shops came from these terminals, so it is almost certain the regulations will have an impact.
The answer for the continued existence of betting shops 10, 20 years from now may lie in the example of bookstores. Some have been thriving in the face of Amazon’s dominance, because they have redefined what a bookshop is. Instead of going to buy a book, you are invited to a communal space, complete with a café and other things not easily replicated online, such as guest speakers. Could bookmakers have a similar way forward? Perhaps fusing with their natural bedfellow – the traditional British pub?
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

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DATA.BET Launches Hot Bundles
DATA.BET, a trusted sportsbook solution supplier, has launched Hot Bundles – pre-built betting combinations powered by advanced statistical models. Displayed through an intuitive widget, these data-driven selections span multiple events and are designed to boost both express betting activity and operator income.
These combinations provide either separated selections (including Player Props markets) or consolidated ones within single matches through the Bet Builder. Each event set displays a combined odds with a simple one-click interface, streamlining the path from discovery to wager placement.
Hot Bundles addresses a critical opportunity in the betting ecosystem by simplifying the experience, particularly for newcomers. For operators and platform providers, Hot Bundles drive increased revenue through boosted stake volumes and improved engagement. In turn, bettors gain access to data-driven selections that maximize winning potential through optimal combinations. The pre-built nature eliminates the guesswork and complexity typically associated with creating express bets.
“Hot Bundles transforms how users approach express betting by showcasing the most compelling combinations our data identifies,” said Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET. “By powering statistical analysis with intelligent curation, we’re helping partners capitalize on the higher margins while giving players the guidance they seek for more profitable wagers. We have an ambitious roadmap for the technical expansion of Hot Bundles to meet the demands of both our clients and their users.”
Hot Bundles strengthen DATA.BET’s portfolio of experience-enhancing tools that translate user engagement into partner revenue. The feature’s cross-vertical design showcases the company’s holistic approach: creating a product solution that elevates user satisfaction and business performance.
The post DATA.BET Launches Hot Bundles appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Turbo Duck takes flight in Stakelogic’s newest release
Feathers fly as a fearless duck dukes it out in a cyberpunk arcade in this exhilarating video slot!
Stakelogic has released its most action-packed slot to date with Turbo Duck, a high-octane title that blends intense gameplay with cinematic visuals and a winged hero who refuses to back down.
Set in a post-apocalyptic retro arcade, Turbo Duck follows Quack-9, a fearless duck mecha-pilot ready for action. As the gameplay unfolds, players join Quack-9 in the fight for control and massive multipliers.
Played across a 5-reel, 4-row grid with 15 fixed paylines, the game introduces a mix of Mystery Wilds, instant-win multipliers and three escalating Bonus Game modes.
Mystery Symbols land on reels 2 and 4, revealing either a Blue Wild, a Red Multiplier Wild up to 10x, or directional arrows that place additional Wilds nearby. During Free Spins, Blue Wilds can also award +2 extra Free Spins.
Landing three Bonus Symbols triggers 10 Free Spins and activates the Bonus Wheel, which determines one of three Free Spin variants: Bonus, Mega or Ultra. Each mode increases win potential through higher multiplier frequency and persistent Mystery Symbols. The most volatile mode, Ultra, removes all low-value multipliers and guarantees one high-value multiplier on every spin.
Multiplier Symbols appear in three tiers: Blue (2x–50x), Green (5x–100x), and Red (5x–500x with MAX WIN potential) and award instant prizes based on the base bet. The Turbo Blast feature, which can trigger on any spin, sees one to three multipliers onto the reels, with at least one guaranteed to be from the highest tier. When Multiplier symbols land on the reels Quack-9 will fire into life, destroying them for reveals that keep you on the edge of your seat.
For players who want to take control, Turbo Duck includes a Buy Bonus option with three entry levels, as well as the option to activate Super Stake™, doubling the chance of triggering Free Spins.
James Jelliffe, Head of Slots at Stakelogic, said: “Turbo Duck is a slot that really plays to our strengths. From the stylised visuals to the cinematic pacing, it’s built to stand out. While the theme adds plenty of character, it’s the underlying math that drives the experience, with a carefully balanced mix of volatility, momentum and feature depth designed to keep players engaged.”
The post Turbo Duck takes flight in Stakelogic’s newest release appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Experience a unique Gacha adventure in BGaming’s Infinity Pull
Rapidly expanding content provider takes players on a thrilling anime journey in Infinity Pull
Popular iGaming content provider BGaming invites players to embark on an enchanting anime adventure with the launch of the mesmerising Infinity Pull. Step into a vibrant realm where three captivating goddesses await, each offering unique gameplay and winning opportunities.
Infinity Pull gives players unparalleled control over their gaming experience, enabling them to choose their path from the outset. Players select one of three enchanting waifus: the Blue, Purple, or the Golden. Each waifu represents a different volatility level, with the RTP ranging from 92 to 99%.
Gacha gameplay mechanics were the main inspiration behind Infinity Pull, with the BGaming design team drawing on their love of the genre. The game asks players to wager on cards revealed by the chosen waifu. These cards can award exciting multipliers and instant cash prizes, as well as collectable characters. The game’s unique collection aspect makes it endlessly replayable, with players eager to return and complete their sets. Every 25 duplicate cards collected also reveal an additional chapter of the chosen waifu’s bio, enriching the game’s narrative experience.
Beyond its unique gameplay and mechanics, Infinity Pull also offers flexibility for operators, with the game’s reskinnable design making it perfect for seasonal promotions and themed events.
Alex Baliukonis, Game Design Team Lead at BGaming, said: “We can’t wait to see how players react to what we have achieved with Infinity Pull. What’s great about it is that you don’t need to have ever played a gacha game to enjoy it. It can be picked up and played by anyone.
At BGaming, we are always trying to push the boundaries and try something new. We believe Infinity Pull has the potential to really capture the imagination of players and inspire a whole new take on casual gaming.”
The post Experience a unique Gacha adventure in BGaming’s Infinity Pull appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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