UK bookies are poorly perceived in the UK

A new Yougov-BrandIndex study ranking UK online and retail bookmakers has found that the perceptions of respondents remain generally unfavourable, with some bookmakers regarded more negatively than others, and an overall need to address what is clearly a serious public perception problem.

Despite the negative scores, the survey ranked the ten most known companies from worst to not-so-bad thus:

Ladbrokes: minus 19.1
Paddy Power: minus 17.7
William Hill: minus 17.3
Betfred: minus 17.2
Coral: minus 15

Online only companies:

888 Holdings: minus 13.2
Bet365: minus 12.6
Betfair: minus 12.3
SkyBet: minus 7.7
BetVictor: minus 3.7

Stephan Shakespeare, the chief executive of YouGov, says that his research shows that more than 60 percent of respondents believe the UK government should increase the regulation of gambling firms, with only a 4 percent proportion thinking the industry should have looser supervision.

But around 25 percent believe the balance is about right, although public perceptions indicate that only the energy and banking sectors are more in need of tighter regulation.

Opinions become stronger when the subject of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals is raised, a controversial topic that has attracted high volumes of negative media comment and reportage. When it comes to this issue, 58 percent of those who favour tighter rules want the machines – key generators of revenue – banned.

In broader opinions, over 80 percent of those who want more regulation also say there should be fewer betting shops on the high street. The sector is known for its high-profile advertising campaigns, but over three quarters of respondents support the idea of a ban on betting ads.

https://yougov.co.uk/news/2015/08/19/how-can-ladbrokes-take-its-share-gambling-industry/