Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council announced that its four largest members have donated a stellar £122.5 million over four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling-related harm. This, the BGC emphasized, is £22.5 million more than the operators in question had pledged to contribute between 2020 and 2024.
The gambling companies in question are Flutter, Entain, bet365 and Evoke. Four years ago, the four leaders had promised to contribute to problem gambling treatment, supplying crucial funding to GambleAware, the UK’s leading problem gambling charity.
In addition, BGC members also funded YGAM and GamCare’s £10 million Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme, which seeks to address problem gambling among teens. This means that the largest operators have singlehandedly donated a whopping £132.5 million to treatment, the BGC said.
Other BGC members, meanwhile, kept donating approximately £10 million a year, bringing the overall industry’s total contribution to £172.5 million for the last four years. In 2024 alone, BGC members are expected to provide £50 million in research, prevention and treatment funding.
The money donated by BGC members sustains independent RPT providers, which are responsible for treating approximately 85% of the problem gamblers in Britain. These contributions have been recognized by a variety of MPs.
BGC members have also donated millions to a variety of other charities.
The BGC Remains Committed to Supporting the Third Sector
Wes Himes, BGC’s executive director of standards and innovation, commented on the matter, saying that betting is a hobby enjoyed by 22.5 million people, most of which do so safely. Himes added that the BGC’s mission is to raise industry standards and make a difference by supporting initiatives that matter.
Because of that, the BGC remains committed to providing crucial funding to independent charities.
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.
Wes Himes, executive director of standards and innovation, BGC
Himes acknowledged the record funding but added that the BGC welcomes the replacement of the voluntary levy scheme with a mandatory one. However, he noted that the new scheme must ensure future funding security for the third sector.
For context, the BGC remains somewhat concerned about certain proposals outlined by the government, arguing that they could impact independent bookmakers, as well as lead to shop closures and job cuts.
Despite that, the BGC pledged to cooperate with the new government.
