Extreme heat has reshaped the usual summer trading patterns for some of Britain’s land-based gambling venues, with 2026 the hottest summer on record.
Seaside businesses have benefitted from prolonged sunshine, while high-street operators have faced a tougher period of lower footfall.
Bacta vice president Jeremy Godden told NEXT.io that operators are increasingly having to think about air conditioning, venue comfort and the impact of changing weather patterns. Godden operates multiple venues on the South East coast of England as the managing director of The Godden Gaming Organisation.
He said the sector has long been exposed to seasonal swings, but that increasingly regular heatwaves may force operators to rethink how they prepare for sweltering summer months.
