That's incorrect. In British slang it means a customer/patron. In this context a fan/concertgoer

(Source: I'm British)

I've only heard it in a gambling context which is why I was confused. I was briefly on a UK gambling platform and they referred to themselves as punters.

The term is used for gambling customers. As opposed to bookies who are professionals who take the bets.

Right. We say bookies in the US too but not punters.

interesting, so when a fellow is taken up by the cops, and he says "thers no punt, im telling you truth", is that unfamiliar?

i have a lot of different nationalities partaking of my wilderness lodge, and a lot of the younger english ones use punt/play/burn/scam as equivalent.

i can see how they could merge, considering a colloquial "punt" [rugby/footall] as a maneuver with adverse risk.

Punt is a long gamble, most often used as part of "take a punt". As you say, probably related to football usage.

I don't know if punter (as in, customer) is related. I suppose buying something is always a bit of a punt to some extent.

They are related, it seems. punter being gambler but evolving into general 'customer/member of the public' over time.

Never heard of that usage (I'm also British).

could it be a cockney thing ?

I've also not heard it, also a Brit. Dunno what the source is of someone saying there's no punt?

No, but do check with Dick van Dyke - the real mockney geezer

"interesting, so when a fellow is taken up by the cops, and he says "thers no punt, im telling you truth", is that unfamiliar?"

Yes it is unfamiliar - it is unlikely that anyone in the UK has accidentally said that.

"i have a lot of different nationalities partaking of my wilderness lodge, and a lot of the younger english ones use punt/play/burn/scam as equivalent."

Given you have a dislike of capitals, I'll hazard a guess at your age (but not tell you). Kids here (UK) don't use words like that, says Granddad! I get a capital G because I say so.

If I had to guess, I've probably replied to a shit AI sigh

im organic, and im older than dirt.