I was visiting my parents the other week in the Toronto area, and in a small local pet shop, they had big tanks with clear grated dividers installed in cubes, instead of just vertically. Each
betta had it's own little cube with a little cave and a small plant in a HEATED and FILTERED tank. It still wasn't much swimming room, but it was so clean and MUCH better than the small cups of frozen water you usually see them in.
I wish I had gotten some pictures!
Has anyone else seen this before? Just thought I'd share
Also I wanted mention, that they offered a discount (10% I believe) on heaters when you bought a betta. Great for the fish and probably great for business!