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BGC reports record £122.5m funding increase

The Betting and Gaming Council’s (BGC) largest members have donated £122.5m over four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling harm, new figures have shown.

Described as a record funding increase, this total is £22.5m more than the £100m the BGC’s four largest members pledged to contribute between 2020 and March 2024.

Wes Himes, BGC Executive Director of Standards and Innovation, explained that around 22.5 million people in this country enjoy a ‘regular flutter’, with the overwhelming majority doing so 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,” he continued. 

“Our members have no say on how these funds are spent and RPT donations only go to independent organisations accredited by the Gambling Commission to deliver these critical services.”

Four years ago, BGC members, Flutter, Entain, bet365 and Evoke (888/William Hill), pledged a major uplift in Research, Prevention and Treatment (RPT) contributions to be predominantly administered by the independent charity GambleAware to help fund this work.

In addition, BGC members also funded the £10m Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme, delivered by leading charities YGAM and GamCare, which has reached more than two million 11 to 19-year-olds, and those working with them in the UK, taking overall donations from the largest operators to £132.5m.

Around a further £10m has also been donated annually from other BGC members and UK regulated licensees, taking the contribution over the last four years to approximately £172.5m.

“For the BGC and our members, the priority is ensuring the money reaches these charities doing exceptional work in Prevention and Treatment and funds truly independent, evidence-led research,” Himes added.

“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.

“As we go forward, this huge investment will continue, underlining this sector’s unrivalled commitment to responsible betting and gaming.”

The organisation also outlined that this year alone, its members expect to provide RPT funding of around £50m to a host of vital charities.

All RPT donations only go to charities accredited by the independent regulator the Gambling Commission to deliver these services, and BGC members have no say on how the money is spent.

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