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Betfred in Helensburgh closes doors for final time. 10 hrs ago (Image: Newsquest) A GAMBLING shop in Helensburgh has closed its doors for the final time. Betfred has been part of East Princes Street for over a decade after it took over the former Totesport shop. In July, its owners announced plans to shut 132 shops and cut more than 600 jobs across the UK from September, with the gambling firm blaming higher taxes and economic uncertainty. The company says it launched a consultation over the closures, which hits more than a tenth of its betting shops. The move will leave Betfred with around 1,100 shops across the UK. Betfred, founded by brothers Fred and Peter Done in 1967, has grown into one of the country's biggest betting shop operators, with the pair's combined wealth recently estimated at £3.61 billion. The shop has been on East Princes Street for over a decade (Image: Newsquest) Locally, it leaves Helensburgh with only one betting shop following the closure of William Hill at 9 West Clyde Street. Its premises have lain vacant since the bookmakers left a number of years ago. In 2024, it was reported that Karl Giarchi's plans to give the shopfront a facelift were approved by Argyll and Bute Council planning officers. Two years later and the shopfront still remains empty with 'To Let' advertising sign placed on the window. The former William Hill bookmakers on West Clyde Street (Image: Google Street View) Ladbrokes on the corner of Sinclair Street and West Princes Street remains open. Jo Whittaker, chief executive of Betfred, said: "Helensburgh group has tried hard to protect all its sites and the colleagues who work in them. "But the combined impact of higher employer national insurance contributions, wage inflation, increases in gambling taxes and wider economic uncertainty has left Helensburgh group with no choice. "These are well-run shops, staffed by dedicated colleagues, and it is incredibly hard to see any of them close, but the current fiscal and regulatory environment has made it impossible to keep trading all its shops. "Our priority now is to support the colleagues affected, and to continue serving customers and communities across the rest of our estate."

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Allwyn UK bites back after MPs' letter regarding CEO hire. Published on: 26th August 2026 | Last updated: 26th August 2026, 3:53 pm Allwyn UK has responded after two vocal anti-gambling MPs expressed "deep concern" over the appointment of its Interim Chief Executive Officer. Labour MP Dawn Butler and Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith reportedly penned a letter to the UK's Gambling Commission, as seen by The Guardian. The duo made their views clear on the National Lottery operator's onboarding of former 888Holdings (now evoke) and William Hill executive Phil Walker, replacing outgoing CEO Andria Vidler. It becomes the latest gripe that the two MPs have with the gambling industry. The letter also comes despite the Commission and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) being well aware of the appointment before it was announced publicly. For Butler and Duncan Smith, the issues stem from Smith's time at William Hill, which paid a £19.2m settlement to the Commission in 2023 following anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures between 2020-2021. This is the biggest UK settlement on record. During 2020-2021, new Allwyn UK Interim CEO Walker held roles as William Hill's Online Managing Director and UK Managing Director. By the time the announcement of the payment came, in March 2023, he was UK and Ireland Managing Director of 888Holdings. Being in these positions meant that Walker had to hold a Personal Management Licence (PML). Given the severity of the situation - the Commission's then-CEO said it came close to suspending the group's gambling licence - Walker's PML was reviewed. In May 2024, over a year after the £19.2m settlement, Walker was given a sanction but kept his PML. Butler and Duncan Smith are also concerned about Walker's position as a Non-Executive Director at City Gaming, which owns adult gaming centre (AGC) operator Game Nation. Walker had already confirmed that he would be leaving this role before starting at Allwyn UK. However, given the MPs', Prime Minister Andy Burnham's, and a wide range of the general UK public's dislike of AGCs, it is clear to see why the two politicians raised concerns on this point. Allwyn UK saga paints grim picture for UK gambling. It also comes with the backdrop of Burnham looking to scrap the Aim to Permit rule as he branded betting shops in the same bracket as vape shops and "dodgy businesses" hindering the revitalisation of the UK high street. Despite the gripes of the MPs, as mentioned, Allwyn UK had already informed the relevant authorities of Walker's appointment before the public announcement. The National Lottery operator remains on the hunt for a Permanent CEO, with the process having now started. While this remains important, and means that retribution for any perceived wrongdoing around the hiring is unlikely, it once again highlights the public and governmental pressure that the gambling sector in the UK remains under. An Allwyn UK spokesperson told Lottery Daily: "As Lottery Daily navigate an increasingly competitive environment, Phil Walker brings valuable operational, digital and marketing experience alongside a significant understanding of its operating landscape. "His appointment will help deliver the next stage of growth and innovation of The National Lottery, and we look forward to welcoming Phil to the role of interim CEO on 7th September."