Betfred, one of the UK’s leading bookmakers, has recently reported increased profits despite the growing losses of UK gamblers. The company’s profits rose by 5.4% in the six months to the end of October 2018, with total revenue increasing by 3.5%. The news comes at a time when the UK gambling industry is facing increased scrutiny due to the rising losses of UK gamblers.

The UK Gambling Commission recently released figures showing that the total amount lost by UK gamblers in 2017 was £13.3 billion, a rise of 6.8% from the previous year. This increase in losses has been attributed to the rise in online gambling, with more people now able to access gambling sites from their phones and computers. The Commission has also raised concerns about the impact of fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) on problem gambling, with the maximum stake per spin being reduced from £100 to £2 in April 2019.

Despite these worrying figures, Betfred has managed to increase its profits. This is largely due to the company’s focus on customer service and its commitment to responsible gambling. Betfred has invested heavily in its customer service team, ensuring that customers have access to help and advice when they need it. The company has also implemented a number of measures to help protect vulnerable customers, such as setting deposit limits and introducing ‘reality checks’ which remind customers of how long they have been playing for.

The success of Betfred is a testament to the importance of responsible gambling practices. While it is encouraging to see that the company has been able to increase its profits despite the rising losses of UK gamblers, it is important that other operators follow suit and put responsible gambling at the heart of their business model. This will help to ensure that customers are protected from problem gambling and that the industry as a whole can continue to thrive.