The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has welcomed recent UK Government announcements, including a £400 million investment in grassroots sport and the launch of a new Modern Industrial Strategy, while cautioning against potential increases in gambling-related taxes.
The grassroots sport funding forms part of a wider £900 million package aimed at supporting the UK’s sporting infrastructure and event pipeline, with upcoming tournaments such as Euro 2028, the 2026 European Athletics Championships, and stages of the Tour de France in 2027 among those set to benefit.
BGC members, including Entain and Flutter, already contribute to community sport initiatives. Entain’s Pitching In scheme supports non-league football clubs in the Trident Leagues, while Flutter’s Cash4Clubs programme has provided £6.5 million in small grants to clubs across the UK and Ireland since 2008.
According to a report by EY commissioned by the BGC, betting and gaming companies contribute over £350 million annually to horseracing, £40 million to the English Football League, and more than £12.5 million to snooker, darts and rugby league.
In a separate policy announcement, the Government outlined its new Modern Industrial Strategy, which includes a commitment to an internationally competitive tax regime and a renewed focus on the creative industries. The BGC has used the opportunity to reiterate its opposition to any increase in betting and gaming taxes as part of the Government’s ongoing online tax consultation.
The BGC highlighted that its members support 109,000 jobs, generate £4 billion in tax, and contribute £6.8 billion to the UK economy annually. Casinos alone employ more than 10,000 people and contribute £300 million in taxes each year, with around 13 million customer visits annually.
The latest NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers. According to the BGC, approximately 22.5 million people in the UK place bets each month, most of whom do so responsibly.
BGC CEO Grainne Hurst, said: “As long-time committed supporters of grassroots sports through investment, charity partnerships and sponsorship deals, we are delighted to see the Government commit more cash to unite communities and inspire people to take up sport.
“We absolutely agree with DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy, sport tells our national story in a way like no other, and thanks to this funding alongside the money invested by BGC members, we are creating and improving new ways for tomorrow’s sporting heroes to train and take part in sport.”
BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said: ““We welcome this boost for creative industries, but the BGC would have welcomed more focus on the leisure and tourism sector. The land-based betting and gaming sector, including our world leading casinos, are a pillar of the UK economy, and are generating growth across the nation’s towns and cities. They deserve continued Government support,” she added.
“We also welcome the Government’s commitments to a tax regime that supports its growth ambitions. We have been clear, any tax rises on our sector will not boost growth, but will force people to the growing unsafe gambling black market.”
