Jenningsbet CEO Sends Timely Betting Shops Message Ahead of Christmas

The retail betting industry must do all it can to keep the Christmas spirit alive, according to Jenningsbet CEO Greg Knight. Apart from a gradual shift from betting in-person to wagering offline, the contents of the UK budget has spread panic.

In her budget last month, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, confirmed that online casino betting taxes will rise from 21% to 40% as of April 2026, while the general duty on digital sports betting will increase from 15% to 25% as of April 2027.

Whereas the duty on land-based betting will remain unchanged at 15%. Although some might consider this a win, the gambling industry won’t be immune to financial pressures moving forward.

A rallying call

Jenningsbet, which launched itself into the online sphere in 2007, is mainly renowned for its retail activity. And ahead of the festive period, Knight wanted to take the opportunity to send a timely message about how betting shops infuse a sense of Community, and bring people closer together.

In a statement published by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Knight said:

“Politicians often talk about loneliness, community and protecting local high streets. But what they rarely acknowledge is that, for our customers, betting shops already deliver these benefits every day.

“This Christmas, we should recognise what the community truly looks like in 2025 and how it often flourishes in places that are too easily overlooked.

“If we want vibrant high streets and places where people can gather, then we must think carefully before placing more pressure on the businesses that help keep these neighbourhoods alive.”

Flying the retail flag high

Jenningsbet has a rich and fascinating history. A fiercely independent business, Jenningsbet originally started as Jennings Racing in 1995 with 10 shops in Essex. It steadily expanded, and it now has 150 branches across the UK.

Knight, who founded Jenningsbet with his brother Julian and their mother Carole Jennings, took over sole control of the business in 2021 and he has been trying to keep the company competitive in what has become a saturated market.

The Christmas plea was supposed to raise the wider implications of the existential threat facing the betting industry as a whole. Companies are currently considering strategies, and that includes the top-tier players, such as Paddy Power, who previously admitted they would have to close 57 shops across the UK, while Betfred have also hinted at closing down their entire retail unit.

Elsewhere, reports emerged this week suggesting that some of the main market players, such as Flutter and Entain, may swoop in to control over two-thirds of the gambling industry by 2028 and take over the running of the more established sites. 20% of the industry, meanwhile, would be presided over by second-tier operators, such as LeoVegas and BetVictor.

More than just a betting shop

While the potential problems that lie ahead have mainly revolved around online concerns, Knight used his message to reveal a takeaway note on the wider societal impact of ensuring retail betting doesn’t lose ground over Christmas.

He added:

“When a bookmaker closes, the loss is not only economic but social. A warm and welcoming room where people shared laughs, stories, and sporting moments simply disappears, leaving a gap in the heart of the community.

“Betting shops are not just places to place a bet; they are places to belong, and that matters now more than ever.”