The UK Government’s newly announced reforms on gambling, including a mandatory levy and stake limits on online slot games, have sparked a mixed response from the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
While the industry body reaffirmed its commitment to supporting regulatory changes outlined in the 2023 White Paper, it criticized the tone of the latest measures, warning they could undermine key industry achievements and data.
BGC CEO Grainne Hurst highlighted the importance of maintaining perspective on gambling behaviors in the UK. “Ministers must not lose sight of the fact the vast majority of the 22.5 million people who enjoy a bet each month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online do so safely, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers,” she stated.
According to the BGC, its members have invested more than £170 million ($214 million) in addressing gambling-related harm over the past four years, including £50 million ($63 million) in 2024 alone. These funds have been used to support a network of independent charities providing treatment and care for the majority of problem gamblers in the UK.
Hurst expressed concern over the government’s approach to the reforms, stating: “The tone of this announcement suggests the Government is at risk of losing perspective of these facts while simply dancing to the tune of anti-gambling prohibitionists, which serves no one.”
The reforms come on the heels of the BGC’s introduction of its Code Handbook, a set of over 100 voluntary measures aimed at raising industry standards. These initiatives include a ban on gambling advertisements during live sports through a “whistle-to-whistle” restriction and dedicating 20% of betting ads to safer gambling messages.
The organization also highlighted the growing risk posed by unregulated gambling operators, estimating that 1.5 million people in the UK currently gamble on illegal platforms that lack safety protocols. The BGC cautioned that overly restrictive measures on licensed operators could push more consumers toward these unregulated options, ultimately undermining consumer protection efforts.
While the BGC acknowledged the importance of tackling problem gambling, it called on policymakers to ensure reforms are grounded in evidence and balanced to safeguard jobs, economic contributions, and consumer safety. The council stated that collaboration, rather than overly punitive measures, would be key to fostering a sustainable and responsible gambling environment.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2024/11/27/86700-uk-gambling-reforms-spark-industry-criticism-with-calls-for-balanced-regulation
