The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has announced a record-breaking contribution of £122.5 million over four years from its largest members to address problem gambling and gambling-related harm. This figure exceeds the initial £100 million pledge made by BGC members Flutter, Entain, bet365, and Evoke (888/William Hill) between 2020 and March 2024.
The funds have been primarily directed toward Research, Prevention, and Treatment (RPT) initiatives, managed by the independent charity GambleAware. In addition to these contributions, BGC members have supported the £10 million Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme, delivered by charities YGAM and GamCare. This initiative has reached over two million individuals aged 11 to 19 in the UK, bringing the total donations from major operators to £132.5 million.
Further contributions of approximately £10 million annually from other BGC members and UK-regulated licensees have raised the overall industry funding to approximately £172.5 million over the past four years. For 2024 alone, BGC members anticipate providing around £50 million to various charities focused on addressing gambling-related challenges.
A History of Voluntary Industry Contributions
The regulated betting and gaming sector in the UK has contributed to tackling problem gambling for over two decades through a unique voluntary levy applied to all operators. These contributions sustain a network of independent third-sector providers, which currently treat approximately 85% of individuals receiving help for gambling-related harm in Britain.
Commitment to Transparency and Independence
All RPT donations are allocated exclusively to charities accredited by the Gambling Commission, ensuring that funds are used effectively and independently. The BGC emphasizes that its members have no influence over how these funds are distributed or utilized, underscoring the industry’s commitment to maintaining transparency and supporting impactful solutions to gambling-related harm.
Betting and Gaming Council CEO, Grainne Hurst, said: “The BGC supported plans outlined in the White Paper published last year to reform stake limits and introduce a mandatory levy to fund Research, Prevention and treatment.
“BGC members voluntarily contributed over £170m over the last four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling related harm, including £50m this year alone, funding an independent network of charities currently caring for 85 per cent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.
“Ministers must not lose sight of the fact the vast majority of the 22.5m people who enjoy a bet each month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online do so safely, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers.
“The tone of this announcement suggests Government is at risk of losing perspective of these facts, while simply dancing to the tune of anti-gambling prohibitionists, which serves no one.”
