New Data Reveals Over Half of Makerfield Residents Value High Street Bookies as BGC Highlights Risks of Proposed Duty Hikes
New Opinium polling conducted within Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s constituency of Makerfield reveals that more than half of local residents believe betting shops make a positive contribution to community life. The findings come as the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) intensifies its warnings that a proposed 40% increase in Machine Games Duty (MGD) could force the closure of nearly 1,500 betting shops and threaten thousands of jobs.
According to the research, 54 per cent of Makerfield residents, including 51 per cent of Labour voters and 59 per cent of Reform voters, agree that betting shops support local community life. Furthermore, traditional high street bookmakers remain a popular option for local punters: 26 per cent of Makerfield adults had placed a sports or racing bet in the preceding 12 months, with 54 per cent of those bettors visiting in-person bookmakers and 66 per cent betting online.
Community Concerns Over High Street Decline
When asked about the general impact of local businesses closing, residents expressed acute anxiety over job losses and vacant properties. Job losses were cited as the primary concern by 34 per cent of all residents and 40 per cent of Labour voters, while 23 per cent highlighted the emergence of empty high-street shops.
These local concerns tie directly into wider economic warnings issued by the BGC. Independent EY modelling cited by the council indicates that a 40 per cent MGD rate could trigger up to 1,470 betting shop closures, 34 casino closures, and almost 16,000 job losses, while paradoxically leaving the Treasury up to £124 million worse off.
Executive Perspective
Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, commented on the findings:
“Makerfield tells a very human story about what betting shops mean to communities across Britain. These are not just businesses on a spreadsheet. They are places where local people work, where customers choose to spend their money and which help keep our high streets busy.”
She added:
“The Prime Minister has said policies should face a ‘Makerfield test’ that if they don’t work for people here and don’t lift them up, they shouldn’t happen at all. The Prime Minister only has to look at his own constituency to see why that matters. People in Makerfield recognise the role betting shops play in community life and they are concerned about the jobs and empty units left behind when local businesses disappear.”
