The UK’s gambling industry is worth a massive £13.8bn, and there are currently almost 9,000 betting shops in the UK.
From sporting events to roulette machines, millions of Britons enjoy having a flutter every day.
In south west London, there has been a long tradition of betting, thanks in part to the greyhound racing at Wimbledon Stadium.
The stadium shut its doors for the final time in March, but gambling is still a hugely popular pastime for many people in the UK.
The betting industry employs more than 100,000 people, while around 150 casinos operate in this country. With almost 3,000 licensed operators and over 11,000 gambling premises accounted for in the UK last year, it is easier than ever to indulge in a bet.
As long as you’re over 18, you can gamble by playing the lottery, bingo, betting on sports, casino games or playing machines, and thanks to modern technology these can all be done with a couple of clicks on your mobile.
This industry is regulated by the Gambling Commission, a non-departmental government body who police gambling bodies and supervise gambling law in the UK.
Formed in 2007, the Gambling Commission takes responsibility for regulating arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, slot machines and lotteries, as well as providing consumer advice and support.
Its powers include issuing fines and revoking licences of gambling operators and advising the government on issues arising around gambling.
Increasingly, the watchdog has acted to regulate the online gambling market, which has expanded rapidly over the past decade.
Remote gambling is now by far the biggest sector of the betting industry, accounting for 32% of the total market and yielding £4.5bn between October 2015 and September 2016.
Casino games have been identified as the most profitable of online games, specifically slot machines.
Thanks to mobile technology, the ability to check odds, place a bet and withdraw your winnings is all at your fingertips. There are new apps and websites appearing all the time, especially a lot of new online casinos that are proving increasingly popular with the public.
With online casinos, you also have the option to play in tournaments against other online casino members in a range of games including poker, blackjack and many more.
This can be a lot more exciting and realistic than older versions, which invariably pit you against a computer programme.
The key to betting is to go with what feels comfortable for you, so take your time and choose well.
