The British gaming sector, as represented by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has expressed a willingness to consider a mandatory operator fee to support programs addressing problem gambling. However, the BGC emphasizes that such a levy must include provisions to safeguard land-based businesses already grappling with escalating expenses.
The BGC points to the voluntary contributions currently made by its members, citing the instance of a £100 million commitment from five prominent operators in 2020. These funds bolster research, education, and treatment (RET) services for gambling-related issues, reaching a substantial proportion of individuals undergoing treatment in the UK.
While recognizing the necessity for consistent and reliable funding for RET, BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher underscores the significance of independent allocation and the need to alleviate the financial burdens faced by traditional operators. He proposes that a mandatory levy should be coupled with suitable mitigating steps to ensure the sustainability of these enterprises.
Duher elaborated, ‘Our biggest participant has committed to donating 1% of their earnings to bolster exploration, instruction, and therapy via entirely autonomous avenues. It’s vital that these resources reach the highest-impact organizations, those dedicated to empirically-supported methods, which is a paramount concern for both BGC and our affiliates. Honestly, the origin of this funding shouldn’t be a point of contention. I’ve previously encountered some within the NHS who voiced hesitation about receiving support from our industry, so it’s heartening to observe that this is no longer an obstacle.”
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