4,500 jobs at risk at William Hill

Gambling firm William Hill has confirmed plans to shut 700 betting shops, placing 4,500 jobs at risk.

The bookmaker had threatened such a move before a crackdown to cut stakes on controversial fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) was implemented on 1 April.

William Hill said in a statement: “Since then the company has seen a significant fall in gaming machine revenues, in line with the guidance given when the government’s decision was announced in May 2018.”

Read the full statement here

William Hill – and the wider industry – had repeatedly warned that many stores would not be viable when FOBT maximum stakes were cut to £2 from £100, as the government moved to get a grip on tackling a surge in the number of so-called problem gamblers.

The machines – described by critics as the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling – had been blamed for destroying lives and families while the industry was accused of falling short in its obligations to customers.

Via Sky News/ William Hill