Menu

Scotbet In Plea For Further Support

Scotbet In Plea For Further Support

Scottish independent bookmakers are struggling to make ends meet in the light of pressures from online gambling competition, increasing government regulation and the recent impact of lockdown and subsequent restrictions.  John Heaton, Chairman of the largest independent operator, Scotbet, is vocal in his criticism of the Scottish government’s lack of support for the betting industry and has expressed concerns about the paucity of financial provision to allow the industry to weather the unprecedented storm that is Covid-19.

Scotbet went into administration only last year and 27 employees lost their jobs as 11 branches closed.  The remaining 30 shops continue to operate and the business employs some 127 people.  Additional costs of £500k since March, combined with a 20% drop in takings, have come as a major blow to a business that was seeking to re-establish itself and move forward.

Heaton highlights the Scottish government’s woeful financial provisions for the gambling industry, and compares this lack of support to more generous provisions for other associated industries.  For example, from the initial lockdown in the spring, 100% business rates relief has been available for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors and it is applied automatically by all Scottish councils. Independent bookmakers only quality for a generic 1.5% rates relief available for all non-domestic properties, a level of support that Heaton calls “paltry”.  Additionally,  the gambling industry as a whole is ineligible for retail, hospitality and leisure support grants,  nor does the industry qualify for Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans.  The latter can provide SMEs with up to £5million loan capital to allow them to continue in business despite loss of revenue and cash flow issues.

Heaton does acknowledge that there has been some valuable support, however, saying ”We are grateful for the financial support we have received, not least the UK Government’s furlough scheme. Without it, we would have been wiped out by the pandemic. It allowed us to retain our talented, experienced team and get us through the worst of lockdown”.  

However, he remains deeply critical of the Scottish government’s lack of financial provision for the industry and, indeed its perceived lack of interest.  Speaking on behalf of all Scottish independent bookmakers, he says “We all feel let down by the Scottish Government. Having contacted them several times to raise our plight, we have not even had the courtesy of an acknowledgement.  The First Minister is on record as having said that she wants all Scottish businesses trading viably again, but actions speak louder than words. Where is the practical support for businesses like ours? I understand that resources are tight, but betting shops in England were deemed worthy of government support, so why not those in Scotland?

As the sporting calendar continues to suffer disruptions and restrictions within the betting shops themselves deter custom, with on-line bookies taking up the slack,  the future of independent bookmakers is looking increasingly bleak.  John Heaton is highlighting the issue in the hope that the Scottish Government will acknowledge the extent of the problem and provide vital financial assistance to ensure the sector’s survival.  

Advertising Disclosure
At WhichBookie we bring you the best content and offers every day, please be aware that we do collect compensation from some of the links on this page.

Top New Bookmakers

MonkeyBet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=4938958 ☆☆☆☆☆
Visit
TangoBet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=4801488 ☆☆☆☆☆
Visit
PricedUp
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=4566795 ☆☆☆☆☆
Visit
Bet442
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=4237684 ★★★★★
Visit
CasinoKings
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/online-casinos/casinokings/ ★★★★★
Visit
NRG.bet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=3924790 ★★★★★
Visit
talkSPORT BET
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=2018021 ★★★★★
Visit
Vbet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/vbet-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
Highbet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/highbet/ ★★★★☆
Visit
Betrino
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=4499812 ☆☆☆☆☆
Visit
Fafabet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/fafabet/ ★★★★★
Visit
Gentleman Jim
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=3933385 ★★★★★
Visit
BetZone
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/betzone/ ★★★★★
Visit
Neptune Play
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=3924791 ★★★★★
Visit
Blue Fox Casino
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=2880013 ★★★★☆
Visit
BetGoodwin
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=1498342 ★★★★★
Visit
BresBet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=2039219 ★★★★☆
Visit
Lottoland
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=91925 ★★★★☆
Visit
MonsterCasino
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/monstercasino/ ★★★★☆
Visit
CopyBet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=2039539 ★★★★★
Visit
LiveScore Bet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/livescore-bet-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit

Top Offers

SpinWizard | 100 Free Spins No Deposit
Visit
MonkeyBet | £50 Free Bet
Visit
Tangobet Sign Up Offer, Free Bet & Promo Code
Visit
PricedUp Free Bet Sign Up Offer, Promo Code & Review
Visit
Bet365 Sign Up Offer, Free Bet & Bonus Code
Visit
NRG Bet Sign Up Offer, Free Bet & Promo Code
Visit
Bet442 Free Bet, Sign Up Offer & Promo Code for New Customers
Visit
Betfred Sign Up Offer, Free Bet & Promo Code
Visit
Lottoland Sports Sign Up Offer, Free Bet & Promo Code
Visit
Fafabet Free Bet Sign Up Offer & Bonus Code
Visit
CopyBet Sign Up Offer, Free Bet & Promo Code
Visit
Corners Betting Tips
Read
Liam Johnson
Over 9.5 Corners
Roma vs Atalanta

Here you'll find football corners betting tips from our expert football analyst, Liam Johnson. All of the corner predictions published here on WhichBookie are 100% free.

Date published: December 2, 2024
Card Betting Tips
Read
Liam Johnson
Player to be shown a card - Federico Steffanoni
Roma vs Atalanta

Here you'll find football card betting tips from our expert football analyst, Liam Johnson. All of the card & booking points tips published here on WhichBookie are 100% free.

Date published: December 2, 2024

Top Rated Bookmakers

bet365
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/bet365-review/ ★★★★★
Visit
Coral
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/coral-bookmaker-review/ ★★★☆☆
Visit
Ladbrokes
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/ladbrokes-review/ ★★★☆☆
Visit
Betfred
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/betfred-review/ ★★★★★
Visit
William Hill
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/william-hill-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
BetUK
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/betuk-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
10bet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/10bet-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
BetVictor
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/betvictor-review/ ★★★★★
Visit
Virgin Bet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/virgin-bet-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
Boylesports
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/boylesports-review/ ★★★★★
Visit
Lucky 15 Tips
Read
Will Smith
Julius Des Pictons
12:20 Plumpton
5/6

Here you’ll find the Lucky 15 horse racing tips from WhichBookie expert racing analysts. All of the tips published here on WhichBookie are 100% free along with the use of our Lucky 15 Calculator that can be found further down the page.

Date published: December 2, 2024
Correct Score Predictions
Read
Which Bookie
Roma 2-1
Roma v Atalanta
12

Free correct score predictions for football matches. Get correct score tips for the Premier League, Championship, La Liga, Champions League and more.

Date published: December 2, 2024
Marseille vs Monaco Prediction Betting Tips & Preview
Read More
Martin Pennington
1-1
Marseille vs Monaco
6/1
In a highly anticipated Ligue 1 clash, Olympique de Marseille (OM) will host AS Monaco at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday, aiming to leapfrog the Principality club into second place in the league standings. With both teams fighting for a higher position in the table, this match promises to be…
Date published: December 1, 2024

Best Football Bookies

bet365
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/bet365-review/ ★★★★★
Visit
Ladbrokes
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/ladbrokes-review/ ★★★☆☆
Visit
Coral
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/coral-bookmaker-review/ ★★★☆☆
Visit
Virgin Bet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/virgin-bet-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
LiveScore Bet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/livescore-bet-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
Betfred
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/betfred-review/ ★★★★★
Visit
CopyBet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=2039539 ★★★★★
Visit
10bet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/10bet-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit

Best Racing Bookies

bet365
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/bet365-review/ ★★★★★
Visit
Coral
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/coral-bookmaker-review/ ★★★☆☆
Visit
Ladbrokes
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/ladbrokes-review/ ★★★☆☆
Visit
Virgin Bet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/virgin-bet-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
William Hill
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/william-hill-review/ ★★★★☆
Visit
Betfred
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/bookmakers/betfred-review/ ★★★★★
Visit
CopyBet
https://www.whichbookie.co.uk/?post_type=bookmaker&p=2039539 ★★★★★
Visit