Tag Archives: Betting and Gaming Council (BGC)

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has expressed its disappointment in the Scottish government’s decision to tell bookmakers to switch off their gaming machines until further notice. It comes just days after Holyrood confirmed it would be lifting the ban on gaming machines, in-store chairs and live racing in betting shops from 22 July. In a letter to BGC chief …

Scottish bookmakers have warned First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that hundreds of jobs could be at risk if the government does not implement a business rates relief to help them cope with the cost of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike in England, Holyrood opted to exclude betting shops from its business relief scheme, which was designed to support businesses which had seen …

Scottish bookmakers have slammed Holyrood’s decision to reopen betting shops without chairs or live racing, stating that the ruling is ‘crazy’ and a ‘slap in the face’ for bookies which have most likely been struggling during the lockdown period. Scotland’s 900 betting shops – employing around 4,500 people – have been closed since March as part of the national effort …

John O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Rank Group, has stated his disbelief at the UK government refusing to allow England’s casinos to reopen on 4 July, as previously anticipated and prepared for by licensed operators. Rank’s CEO branded the government’s latest easing orders on leisure and hospitality venues as ‘baffling’ and ‘incoherent’, with the government allowing England’s bingo venues to reopen …

Scottish betting shops have been given the green light to reopen on 29 June, but will only offer a transactional service. Under the government’s next phase for lifting COVID-19 restrictions, the Scottish government will prevent betting shops from showing live races, while there will also be a ban on seating within the shops to discourage people from gathering. In a …

UK Bookies have raised £250,000 for Cancer and Covid-19 charities after taking a beating on Thursday’s Britannia Stakes race at Royal Ascot. Earlier this week, Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) members vowed to donate all profits, after levy and duties were deducted, from win and each-way bets made on the race to charity. Participating bookmakers included Paddy Power Betfair, bet365, …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched a two-month consultation on proposed measures which would change the way that operators interact with high-value customers. The consultation will consider the seven propositions made by a working group led by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) and GVC, which aim to make gambling safer and reduce harm across the sector. It includes …

Claire Murdoch, the director of mental health at NHS England, has urged betting companies to avoid ‘aggressive advertising campaigns’ following the return of the football season. Murdoch suggested that the NHS’ problem gambling centres will struggle to cope with ‘avoidable harm’ as a result of excessive gambling advertising, emphasising that the industry must not ‘open the floodgates of addiction’. “The …

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Related Harm (GRH APPG) has called for a blanket ban on gambling advertisements as well as an overhaul of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) as part of its final report into online gambling harms. Following a year-long inquiry, the 50-strong group of MPs – which has emphasised it is ‘not anti-gambling or prohibitionist’ …