The betting industry's struggle for public acceptance in the UK

Reports say that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's social media post, which grouped betting shops together with vape shops as "dubious businesses", has provoked a reaction within the sector. Commentators from inside the industry say this stance shows how negative the public perception of the betting sector has become.

Simon Westbury, strategic adviser at 1xBet, sees the statement as an example of the industry losing social acceptance. According to Westbury, the problem is not only one of perception. In his view, saying "we are legally regulated" alone is not enough, and this approach does not move the debate forward.

Westbury also acknowledges that the sector has focused in recent years on rapid growth, pushing boundaries and exploiting gaps. In his view, regulators and the public are finding it hard to trust the sector when they look at such practices.

1xBet is not licensed in the UK, but it holds more than 35 licences locally. Westbury says that everyone believes in regulation, but because the unlicensed market has grown, regulation may not be seen as useful.

The concept of a social licence is not a formal legal requirement. It refers to the acceptance and trust that society gives to an industry. According to Westbury, every industry has to build relationships with its customers within the limits of that acceptance.