UK Gambling Operators Donate £172.5m to Fight Gambling Harms
According to new data from the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), leading gambling operators in the UK have exceeded their commitment made in 2020 to give £100 million to help battle gambling harms.
Leading UK gambling operators donate £172.5m to combat gambling-related harm.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:In June 2020, the BGC’s five largest members committed £100 million to support research, education, and treatment of gambling-related harms. Initially, this donation was to be made between June 2020 and March 2024. However, bet365, Entain, Evoke, and Flutter Entertainment surpassed this and have collectively contributed £122.5 million.
These companies also gave additional funds for the £10m Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme. Run by YGAM and GamCare, this initiative has reached over two million young people aged 11 to 19.
Other BGC members and licensed operators in Britain have donated an extra £10 million annually, bringing the total industry contribution for gambling harm prevention and treatment to £172.5 million.
Significant Financial Backing for Gambling Harm Prevention
Wes Himes, the BGC executive director of standards and innovation, says that the amount donated reflects how seriously the industry is treating problem gambling. Himes emphasized that members do not influence how the funds are utilized. Donations for research, prevention, and treatment are directed to organizations accredited by the UK Gambling Commission.
For the BGC and our members, the priority is ensuring the money reaches these charities doing exceptional work in prevention and treatment and funds truly independent, evidence-led research. As we go forward, this huge investment will continue, underlining this sector’s unrivaled commitment to responsible betting and gaming.
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BGC Calls for Statutory Levy
Despite the voluntary contributions from BGC members, the organization is continuing to call for a statutory levy for funding gambling harm prevention.
The government’s long-awaited white paper proposed a mandatory statutory levy to be paid by operators to the Gambling Commission to fund research, prevention, and treatment (RPT) for gambling harms. However, the recent change in government has raised concerns about potential delays or the proposal being shelved. The BGC supports the statutory levy but is wary of its potential impact on the industry.
Initial proposals suggested levy costs of 0.4% on gross gambling yield, which the BGC argues would disproportionately affect independent bookmakers and threaten their survival. Therefore, the BGC is urging the new government to reconsider the plans.
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