Bookmakers Near Me – An Up to Date Map of UK Betting Shops

Last Updated on 17/02/2026 by Andy Clark

Whether you are looking for a Ladbrokes near you, a William Hill around the corner, or a Betfred down the road, this guide will help you find the nearest betting shop to your location. Use the interactive map below to search for bookmakers near you, or read on for everything you need to know about UK betting shops in 2026.

How Many Betting Shops Are There in the UK?

According to the latest official data from the Gambling Commission, there were 5,825 licensed betting shops in Great Britain in the financial year April 2024 to March 2025. This represents a decrease of 1.8 percent on the previous year and continues a decline that has run for eleven consecutive reporting periods.

To put that in context, in 2012, there were over 9,000 betting shops on UK high streets. That means the UK has lost roughly one third of its betting shops in just over a decade, driven by increased regulation, the growth of online betting, and changing habits among punters. By October 2025, the number had dropped further still to approximately 5,789, according to estimates based on Gambling Commission data.

Despite this decline, nearly 6,000 betting shops remain open across Great Britain, meaning there is still a very strong chance there is a bookmaker near you, particularly if you live in or close to a town or city centre.

Which Bookmakers Have the Most Shops?

The UK high street betting market is dominated by a small number of major brands. Here is a breakdown of the biggest bookmakers by number of shops:

Entain (Ladbrokes and Coral): Entain operates around 2,300 betting shops across the UK through its Ladbrokes and Coral brands, accounting for approximately 40% of all high street betting shops in Great Britain. Ladbrokes and Coral shops are found in virtually every town of any size across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

William Hill (Evoke): William Hill currently operates around 1,300 to 1,400 shops across the UK. The company has faced significant challenges in recent years, closing hundreds of shops since 2019. As of 2026, further closures remain possible as Evoke (which acquired the William Hill retail estate) continues to review its high street presence.

Betfred: Betfred operates around 1,300 to 1,400 betting shops across the UK, making it one of the three largest retail bookmakers alongside the Entain brands and William Hill. Betfred is a family-owned business founded by Fred Done in 1967 and remains one of the most recognisable names on British high streets.

Paddy Power (Flutter): Paddy Power operates around 550 betting shops across the UK and Ireland, following a round of closures in late 2024 and early 2025. The company closed a number of shops in England as it reviewed its retail estate, though Ireland remains a stronghold for the brand.

Independent Bookmakers: Alongside the major chains, several independent bookmakers operate single shops or small regional chains across the UK. These include names such as JenningsBet (northeast England), Stan James, and various local independents that have served their communities for decades.

Bookies Near Me – Major Brands

Ladbrokes Near Me

Ladbrokes is one of the oldest and most recognisable betting brands in the UK, with a history dating back to 1886. With around 1,500 Ladbrokes shops across Great Britain, there is a very good chance there is one near you. Ladbrokes betting shops are well-equipped, featuring multiple screens showing live racing and sports, fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), self-service betting kiosks, and knowledgeable staff. The Ladbrokes Grid loyalty card gives in-shop customers access to exclusive promotions and allows you to earn rewards on your in-shop betting activity. Most Ladbrokes shops open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, with slightly shorter hours on Sundays.

Betfred Near Me

Betfred was founded by Fred Done in 1967 and has grown from a single shop in Salford to become one of the three largest retail bookmakers in the UK. Betfred shops are known for their strong racing product and generous promotions. The chain operates across England, Scotland, and Wales and is particularly strong in the north of England, where the company is headquartered. Betfred shops typically open from around 8.30am and close at 10pm. Their in-shop offers include money-back specials on football and enhanced racing promotions around major meetings, including the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival.

Paddy Power Near Me

Paddy Power is known for its irreverent brand personality and strong Irish roots. With around 550 shops remaining in the UK, Paddy Power has a smaller retail footprint than Ladbrokes, William Hill, or Betfred, but is still present in most major UK cities. Paddy Power shops typically feature large screen displays, modern self-service kiosks, and a lively atmosphere, particularly around major sporting events. Their shops tend to cluster in city centres and high-footfall retail locations rather than residential high streets.

William Hill Near Me

William Hill was founded in 1934 and remains one of the most famous betting brands in the UK despite years of significant shop closures. William Hill shops are found in most major towns and cities and offer the full range of sports betting, horse racing, virtual sports, and gaming machines. The William Hill app can be used in conjunction with your in-shop activity, allowing you to switch between betting in-store and online with the same account. William Hill shops typically open from 9am to 10pm, with hours varying by location and local regulations.

What Time Do Betting Shops Open in the UK?

Most UK betting shops open at some point between 8am and 9am and close between 10pm and 10.30pm, seven days a week. The exact hours vary by bookmaker, location, and local authority regulations. Here is a general guide to opening hours for the major chains:

  • Ladbrokes: Typically 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm Sunday
  • Coral: Typically 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm Sunday
  • William Hill: Typically 9am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm Sunday
  • Betfred: Typically 8.30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm Sunday
  • Paddy Power: Typically 9am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm Sunday

Hours can vary significantly by location. Shops in town centres and areas with high footfall often open earlier and close later than those in quieter residential locations. During major sporting events such as the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National, and major football tournaments, bookmakers sometimes extend their hours. Check the bookmaker’s website store locator for exact opening times at your nearest shop.

Some local councils retain the power to restrict betting shop hours in their area, meaning shops in certain boroughs or local authority areas may close earlier than the standard national hours. This is more common in some London boroughs and in areas where local councils have sought to restrict gambling-related activity.

How to Find a Betting Shop Near Me

There are several ways to find the nearest bookmaker to your location:

Use the maps on this page: Our interactive map above shows the locations of betting shops across the UK, including Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hill, Betfred, and Paddy Power.

Use Google Maps: Search for “bookies near me” or “betting shops near me” on Google Maps and it will show you all licensed bookmakers in your vicinity with opening hours, reviews, and directions.

Use the bookmaker’s own store locator: Most major chains have a store finder on their website. Enter your postcode or town and it will show you the nearest branches along with opening hours.

How to Place a Bet in a Betting Shop

Visiting a betting shop for the first time can feel daunting if you are unfamiliar with the process. Here is a straightforward guide to placing a bet in a UK betting shop:

Step 1: Choose your selection

Decide what you want to bet on. This might be a horse in a race shown on the screens, a football match result, or any other sport the bookmaker covers. Betting slips and racing cards are usually available in a rack near the entrance.

Step 2: Write out your betting slip

Pick up a betting slip from the counter or the rack. Write down the name of the horse or team, the event (race time, match name), your bet type (win, each-way, accumulator, etc.), and your stake amount.

Step 3: Take your slip to the counter

Hand your completed betting slip to the cashier along with your stake in cash. The cashier will process the bet and hand you back a receipt. Keep this receipt safe as you need it to collect any winnings.

Step 4: Watch the event

If the race or match is shown on the screens in the shop, stay and watch. Many bettors enjoy this communal experience as a major part of the appeal of betting shops.

Step 5: Collect your winnings

If your selection wins, take your receipt back to the cashier. They will check it, calculate your winnings, and pay you in cash. Most major bookmakers also allow you to use self-service kiosks to place bets and collect winnings without queuing at the counter.

Self-service betting kiosks are now standard in most major betting shops. These allow you to browse markets, build your bet slip, pay, and collect winnings without interacting with staff. They are particularly useful during busy periods such as race days when queues at the counter can build up.

What Can I Bet On in a Betting Shop?

Horse Racing: Racing is the backbone of UK betting shops. Live coverage from British, Irish, and international tracks runs throughout the day on multiple screens. You can bet on UK and Irish racing, plus major international meetings including French racing, Australian racing, and South African racing. Markets include win, each-way, forecast, reverse forecast, tricast, and combination bets.

Football: Football is the most popular sport for in-shop betting. Matches from the Premier League, Championship, Scottish Premiership, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and other leagues are priced up. Markets include match result, both teams to score, correct score, first goalscorer, and accumulator bets.

Greyhound Racing: Virtual greyhound racing runs throughout the day in most betting shops with races every few minutes. Some shops also offer live greyhound racing from UK and Irish tracks.

Virtual Sports: Computer-generated racing and football runs continuously throughout the day, giving customers something to bet on even during quiet periods with no live sport.

Other Sports: Tennis, golf, cricket, rugby, boxing, MMA, snooker, darts, and other sports are available, particularly around major events.

Gaming Machines (FOBTs): Fixed-odds betting terminals allow customers to play roulette, slots, and other casino games. Stakes on these machines are capped at £2 per spin following regulatory changes in 2019.

Bet In Shop vs Bet Online – Which is Better?

Both in-shop and online betting have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here is an honest comparison:

Advantages of betting in a betting shop:

Atmosphere: Watching a major race or match surrounded by other punters remains one of the best experiences in British betting. The shared excitement of a finish is something that betting apps simply cannot replicate.

Cash betting: If you prefer not to use a bank card or online account, betting shops remain one of the few places you can bet with cash. You hand over money, collect cash winnings, and there is no digital trail.

Instant winnings: Collect your winnings in cash immediately after the event. No waiting for funds to clear in your online account.

Social experience: For many regular punters, the betting shop is a social hub where they meet friends, discuss form, and enjoy sport together.

No account required: You can walk into a betting shop and place a bet without any registration process, age verification documents, or account setup. You only need to show ID if the cashier has reason to request it.

Help from staff: Cashiers in betting shops can answer questions, explain bet types, and help you build your bet slip. Useful for those new to betting.

Disadvantages of betting in a betting shop:

Limited hours: Most betting shops close by 10pm. If you want to bet on a late-night sporting event, you need to use an online bookmaker.

Lower odds on some markets: Online bookmakers often offer better odds than their high street equivalents, particularly on football. The overhead costs of running physical shops means retail betting is sometimes priced less generously than online.

No welcome bonuses: The generous new customer offers available online (free bets, matched deposits) are not available to in-shop bettors. The welcome offers advertised by bookmakers are exclusively for online accounts.

Travel required: You need to physically travel to the shop, which adds time and inconvenience, particularly in bad weather or if the nearest shop is more than a short walk away.

Travel required: You need to physically travel to the shop, which adds time and inconvenience, particularly in bad weather or if the nearest shop is more than a short walk away.

Advantages of betting online:

24/7 access: Place bets any time of day or night, from anywhere with an internet connection.

Better odds: Online bookmakers often offer more competitive odds than their retail equivalents, plus Best Odds Guaranteed on racing, price boosts, and enhanced odds promotions.

Welcome bonuses: All the major bookmakers offer free bets and welcome bonuses exclusively to new online customers.

Wider market range: Online bookmakers carry thousands of markets that are simply not available in shops, including live in-play betting, player props, and niche sports markets.

Cash out: The ability to settle your bet early for a guaranteed return is predominantly an online feature.

Promotions: Ongoing promotions for existing online customers (acca insurance, reload bonuses, price boosts) far exceed what is available in-shop.

Can I Use My Online Account in a Betting Shop?

Yes, in most cases. The major bookmakers have integrated their online and retail operations so customers can use the same account in-shop and online.

William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfred, and Paddy Power all allow you to use your online account in their betting shops in various ways:

Fund your shop bet from your online account: Some bookmakers let you generate a voucher code in their app which you hand to the cashier to bet with funds from your online account.

Collect online bet winnings in-store: Some bookmakers allow you to cash out online bet winnings at a physical shop counter.

Use self-service kiosks with your account: Log into your account at the self-service kiosk in-shop and bet using your online balance.

Check with your specific bookmaker for the exact account integration features available at their shops, as these vary by brand and are updated periodically.

Credit Cards in Betting Shops

Credit cards cannot be used to fund bets in UK betting shops. The Gambling Commission banned the use of credit cards for gambling in April 2020, and this applies to both in-person and online betting. Most betting shops accept cash and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) for deposits and bet placement. Some also accept contactless payment via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

History of Betting Shops in the UK

Betting shops did not become legal in the United Kingdom until 1961, when the Betting and Gaming Act 1960 came into force. Prior to this, cash betting away from a racecourse was illegal, forcing millions of people to bet with illegal street bookmakers known as “bookies’ runners.”

The first legal betting shop opened in May 1961, and the industry expanded rapidly. By the mid-1960s, there were over 15,000 betting shops in Great Britain. The number peaked and began to decline from the late 1960s and 1970s as regulations tightened, and the introduction of online betting from the late 1990s onwards accelerated the closure of high street shops.

The biggest legislative change to affect betting shops in recent years was the reduction of the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to £2 in April 2019. The FOBT machines had been highly profitable for bookmakers, and the stake reduction led directly to the closure of around 1,000 shops within a year as operators determined that many locations were no longer financially viable without the income from high-stakes machine play.

Betting shops have been a fixture of British high street life for over 60 years and remain part of the fabric of communities across the country, despite their declining numbers. For many regular punters, the local betting shop remains an important social venue and an irreplaceable part of how they enjoy sport.

Best Online Bookmakers If There Are No Bookies Near Me

If there are no betting shops near you, or you prefer the convenience of betting online, the following bookmakers offer excellent sign-up offers for new customers and are all fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission:

All of these bookmakers offer full mobile apps for iOS and Android, comprehensive coverage of horse racing, football, and other sports, and Best Odds Guaranteed on racing.

High Street Betting Shops FAQs