BGC Members' Record £172.5 Million Donation to Tackle Gambling Harm

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has announced that its largest members have collectively donated £172.5 million over the past four years to combat problem gambling and gambling-related harm. This record-breaking funding surpasses the initial pledge of £100 million made by Bet365, Entain, Evoke (888/William Hill), and Flutter Entertainment between June 2020 and March 2024.

Significant Contributions and Achievements

In 2019, the BGC's leading members pledged to substantially increase their contributions towards Research, Prevention, and Treatment (RPT) initiatives, primarily administered by the independent charity GambleAware. These contributions aimed to address the growing concerns of problem gambling and its related harms. As a result, the four major operators have donated a total of £122.5 million, exceeding their initial commitment by £22.5 million.

In addition to the RPT funding, BGC members have also supported the £10 million Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme. This initiative, delivered by the charities YGAM and GamCare, has reached over two million young people aged 11 to 19 across the UK. Including this programme, the total donations from the largest operators amount to £132.5 million.

Beyond these contributions, other BGC members and UK-regulated licensees have donated an additional £10 million annually, bringing the total industry contribution to £172.5 million over the past four years. This year alone, BGC members expect to provide around £50 million in RPT funding to various essential charities.

The Role of the BGC and its Members

For over two decades, the regulated betting and gaming industry has voluntarily contributed millions to fund RPT services. This unique voluntary levy supports a network of independent third-sector providers, which currently treat approximately 85% of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain. All donations are directed to charities accredited by the independent regulator, the Gambling Commission, ensuring that BGC members have no influence over how the funds are allocated.

Wes Himes, BGC Executive Director of Standards and Innovation, emphasized the sector's commitment to responsible gaming: “Around 22.5 million people in this country enjoy a regular flutter, and the overwhelming majority do so perfectly safely and responsibly. Our mission to raise standards carries on strong, and these figures demonstrate our actions are backed by significant financial contributions which are making a real difference."

The Call for a Statutory Levy

Despite the success of the voluntary levy, the BGC supports transitioning to a statutory levy, provided it is independent and tiered to protect land-based operators. This proposal aims to ensure future funding security for third-sector providers delivering exceptional RPT services.

The UK Government's consultation on a new statutory levy was delayed due to the General Election. However, the BGC remains concerned about the current proposals, which could disproportionately impact independent bookmakers by imposing a 0.4% levy on Gross Gambling Yield. Such a measure could lead to shop closures and job losses due to the smaller margins for these operators.

Ongoing Efforts and Future Outlook

BGC members have raised millions more for various charity initiatives, including veterans, sports, and health charities, through campaigns like the Grand National Charity Bet and Britannia Stakes Charity Bet. 

Himes reiterated the BGC's commitment to ensuring that funds reach charities performing vital work in prevention and treatment: "While this voluntary levy has delivered record funding, the BGC supports the replacement of the current levy scheme with a mandatory one, but the delivery of this new scheme must ensure future funding security for the third sector, which is delivering such excellent work."

Sources:

BGC MEMBERS DONATE RECORD £172.5 MILLION TO TACKLE PROBLEM GAMBLING AND GAMBLING RELATED HARM, AND CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THIRD SECTOR IN FUTURE LEVY CHANGES, bettingandgamingcouncil.com, July 23, 2024.