It wasn't always like this. Until 2005 betting and gambling was heavily regulated, advertising was basically prohibited (even in bookmakers windows), and the ty

It wasn't always like this. Until 2005 betting and gambling was heavily regulated, advertising was basically prohibited (even in bookmakers windows), and the types of gambling that could occur at betting shops and racegrounds was fairly limited. Then the whole industry was deregulated by the 2005 Gambling Act, and some extremely predatory companies moved in to exploit the new space. The 2008 GFC resulted in a lot of high street shops suddenly becoming empty, particularly in socio-economically poorer areas, and many were converted into betting shops. I understand it used to be the case that banks and bookmakers premises had the same planning designation and so, as banks unloaded their high street premises, they could be converted to betting shops without requiring planning permission. The present UK government doesn't seem interested in effective regulation, and the legal review they announced in 2021 appears to be stalled. Meanwhile the industry continues to create endless misery.