Betting shops discuss sale of scratchcards

Betting chains Ladbroke Racing, William Hill and Coral are talking to charity scratchcard operators to sell scratchcards in their shops.

New legislation, expected to be introduced in June, will permit betting shops to sell scratchcards for the first time, as well as allowing fruit machines in shops.

However, Camelot is forbidden from selling National Lottery scratchcards in betting shops, because the Government wants to distance itself from what it sees as “hard gambling”.

The deregulation bill for betting shops is expected to be passed by Parliament in June. It would allow betting shops to feature games included in the 1976 Lotteries and Amusements Act.

William Hill’s business development director, Ian Spearing, says: “We are in discussions with the major charity scratchcard players.We see a big market for scratchcards in betting shops, and television games will give them a further boost.”

He adds that the 1,600-strong chain would also consider Scratch & Win’s Keno game, if it gets approval from the Gaming Board.