SBC News GambleAware donations top £10m for 2019/20

GambleAware donations top £10m for 2019/20

GambleAware has revealed that donations to the charity have surpassed its £10 million minimum target for the first time.

Publishing the full list of donations received between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020, it revealed that gambling operators and suppliers had made £10.05 million in voluntary donations to the charity, which is not inclusive of money received through regulatory settlements.

Marc Etches, CEO of GambleAware, said: “For the 10th year in a row, we have seen an increase in donations, which means for the first time, we have been able to meet our minimum target of £10 million. Commissioning a coherent, coordinated and efficient system of prevention and treatment requires the strategic distribution of sufficient funding, guided by appropriate expertise underpinned by effective partnership working.

“GambleAware is currently the primary commissioner using best-practice to ensure that evidence informed services are developed according to need within a robust and accountable system, and that funding is allocated efficiently and independently as one would expect of other health and social care commissioning and grant-making bodies.”

The list of donors consists of operators and suppliers in the industry, in addition to donations in the form of unclaimed winnings, dormant accounts and other funds.

The charity currently asks those in the industry to make an annual donation of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) directly to GambleAware, requesting those with an annual gross gambling revenue (GGR) of less than £250,000 per annum donate a minimum of £250.

GVC Holdings, the umbrella group for Ladbrokes and Coral, topped the list of donations to the charity after contributing £1.46 million. This was closely followed by Flutter Entertainment and William Hill, which both contributed £1 million.

The contributions will support a range of services such as the National Gambling Treatment Service, which includes the National Gambling Helpline.

Etches continued: “Our mission is to keep people safe from gambling harm and these donations are vital to making sure we are able to deliver on that mission. Gambling is a serious public health issue in Great Britain, with two million adults experiencing some level of gambling harm.

“With these donations, we are able to continue funding the National Gambling Treatment Service to provide treatment for those who need it, while working in partnership with the NHS and Citizens Advice amongst others.”

Bet365 and Sky Betting and Gaming were also high on the list of donors, contributing £868,000 and £705,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, Rank Group companies paid £568,900 for the year, an increase on the £468,225 which Rank committed in Q1-Q3.

Individually, Grosvenor contributed £309,100, followed by Mecca Bingo which donated £173,900. Grosvenor.com, the online division of Grosvenor, gave £23,500 while Meccabingo.com donated £62,400.

The Betting and Gaming Council added:“We are pleased that our members have stepped up their funding of GambleAware along with a range of other charities to increase the help and support available to those at risk. Our largest members have gone further and committed up to an additional £100 million to research, education and treatment over the next four years, increasing donations from 0.1% of profit to 1% of profit.

“With a continued focus on advertising, it is good to see £3.8 million raised from the industry for the Bet Regret campaign which amplifies safer gambling messages and also has the support of major media partners. This work and funding will continue in 2020/21.

“Through continued funding by our industry over more than 20 years charitable services are able to provide free of charge treatment, support & advice services for anyone affected by gambling.”

For the year, GambleAware also received £1.44 million in regulatory settlement from Playtech, LeoVegas and Gamesys (Gibraltar) Limited.

LeoVegas was penalised by the UK Gambling Commission for failings relating to misleading advertising and the handling of customers at the end of their self-exclusion period, and agreed to pay £600,000 to the charity.

Gamesys was reprimanded by the UKGC for failing to prevent gambling harm and breaching money laundering regulations, and agreed to make a payment of £690,000 in lieu of a financial penalty.

 

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