Major Contributions to Combat Gambling Harms by Leading British Operators
Great Britain’s leading gambling operators have significantly exceeded their initial financial commitments to address gambling-related harms. According to recent data from the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the industry’s top operators have donated £122.5 million, surpassing the £100 million target set in June 2020. This initiative, originally planned to span from 2020 to 2024, aimed to fund research, education, and treatment programs.
Additional Support for Youth Programs
A substantial portion of the funds has been allocated to the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme. Supported by Bet365, Entain, Evoke, and Flutter Entertainment, this initiative has received additional funding beyond the original pledge.
Implemented by YGAM and GamCare, the program has reached over two million young individuals aged 11 to 19, emphasizing the industry’s commitment to preventing gambling harms among the youth.
Industry-Wide Contributions
Beyond the top operators, other BGC members and licensed entities have contributed an additional £10 million annually. These collective efforts have brought the total industry contributions for gambling harm prevention and treatment to £172.5 million.
BGC executive director of standards and innovation, Wes Himes, highlighted the significance of these contributions, noting that they are directed towards accredited bodies responsible for delivering these essential services.
Advocacy for a Statutory Levy
Despite the success of the voluntary contributions, the BGC continues to advocate for a mandatory statutory levy to ensure consistent funding for gambling harm prevention.
The government’s white paper last year proposed this statutory levy, to be managed by the Gambling Commission. However, recent political changes have cast uncertainty on the implementation of this levy.
Concerns and Recommendations
While supporting the concept of a statutory levy, the BGC has expressed concerns about the proposed system’s impact on the industry.
The initial proposal suggested a levy cost of 0.4% on gross gambling yield, which the BGC argued could disproportionately affect independent bookmakers.
The BGC urges the government to reconsider these plans to ensure the sustainability of funding for third-sector organizations working on gambling harm prevention.
Evolution of Key Industry Players
The landscape of the top gambling operators has evolved since the initial pledge in 2020. Bet365 remains unchanged, but other significant players have undergone mergers and rebranding.
Paddy Power Betfair and SkyBet are now part of Flutter Entertainment, GVC Holdings rebranded to Entain, and 888 acquired William Hill’s non-US assets, leading to the creation of Evoke in 2022.
