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Public trust in gambling companies remains low in the UK, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by the think tank More in Common UK. In the survey, only 25% of people responded positively towards having confidence in the gambling sector, while the majority wanted more regulation and fewer betting outlets on main streets.
The survey results were unveiled by the Senior Research Associate of More in Common UK, Charlie Buckley, in a fringe panel of the Labour Party Conference 2026. The research examined how members of the public view gambling companies, betting shops, and the industry’s wider presence.
Gambling ranked only slightly higher than tobacco in terms of public trust. The survey found a 4-percentage-point difference between trust in the gambling sector and trust in tobacco, showing that the industry continues to face a weak public image.
Gambling Trust Remains Limited
Only 25% of respondents said they had trust in the gambling industry. The result placed the sector just above tobacco, which was trusted by 21% of those surveyed.
The poll also found that 5% of respondents had a great deal of trust in gambling companies. The same percentage said they had a great deal of trust in tobacco. The remaining respondents who expressed confidence in either sector said they had a fair amount of trust. The survey did not state the total number of people who took part.
Buckley used the results to highlight how gambling is viewed by the public. The findings suggest that low confidence is not limited to people who do not use gambling products.
The survey said some people who visit betting shops still view them negatively. Betting shops were described by visitors as a blight on the high street, reflecting broader concerns over their visibility in local shopping areas.
The poll also found that 65% of the public wants more regulation for the gambling sector. The figure points to support for additional rules affecting gambling operators and their products.
Betting Shops Viewed Negatively
The number of betting shops in Britain has declined, but the survey found that many people still want fewer of these venues in their communities. Buckley said gambling shops have become more noticeable to some members of the public.
He suggested that the emergence of Adult Gaming Centres may have contributed to this perception. According to the survey, people would rather see an empty shopfront in their local area than a gambling venue.
A total of 63% of respondents said seeing more betting shops would signal a decline in their community. Only 6% said additional betting shops would represent an improvement.
Support for expanding the gambling industry remained below 10% among supporters of different political parties. Labour supporters were the exception, with 12% saying they were in favor of expanding the industry.
The results show that public support for a wider gambling presence remains limited. They also reflect continued concern about the appearance of betting shops and other gambling venues on high streets.
Operators Face Industry Pressure
The survey comes as several gambling companies have reduced their workforce in recent weeks and months. Entain, Evoke, and Betfred were among the companies reported to have cut jobs.
Bet365, a privately held betting and gaming company based in Stoke-on-Trent, also announced layoffs affecting its home base.
At the same time, licensed gambling operators have continued to raise concerns about the growth of the black market. While public confidence in the regulated sector remains low, operators face challenges in directing players toward licensed services instead of unregulated options.
Source: Gambling News
