New BGC Report Highlights Contribution the Regulated Industry Makes to Communities, the Economy and Sport

The 28-page document sets out the investment in corporate social responsibility made by members of the Betting and Gaming Council.

It provides a snapshot of activity over the past two years, from joining the national effort against Covid-19 to providing vital funding for a range of good causes, including cancer, mental health and dementia charities.

The report also outlines the regulated industry’s efforts to promote inclusion and diversity.

The BGC and its members’ commitment to safer gambling is also highlighted, as is its work promoting grassroots sport. Sustainability is also a key feature as members respond to climate change.

This is in addition to the 119,000 jobs that BGC members support, the £4.5bn in tax they generate and the £7.7bn they contribute to the economy in gross value added.

A further £350m goes to horseracing from the regulated betting and gaming industry, with millions more in sponsorship for football, rugby league, darts and snooker.

Highlights of the report include:

• £10 million donation by Denise Coates Foundation to University Hospital of Northern Midlands
• The Entain Foundation’s pledge to invest £100 million worldwide on grassroots sport, responsible gambling, health and community projects.
• Inspiring employee volunteers like William Hill’s Nick Pearson who set up a PPE equipment production line in his own home, and Kim James whose work to help vulnerable people in Swansea inspired the launch of a national ‘Everyone Deserves a Christmas’ campaign by her employer, Mecca Bingo
• William Hill being named among the top 150 companies in Europe for diversity; as well as funding and support from Flutter, Entain, Kindred and Rank for LGBTQ+ communities around the world
• The £10 million Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme, funded by BGC members and delivered by charities GamCare and YGAM.
• A £5 million project by Flutter to support grassroots sports clubs affected by the pandemic.
• Almost £3 million donated to NHS Charities Together and £1.25 million to Prostate Cancer UK, Marie Curie, the three Armed Forces charities and Care Radio by BGC members.
• Significant progress by BGC members to reduce their carbon footprint and invest in sustainability projects, including one to plant a million trees worldwide.

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council said: “This report highlights the huge contribution the regulated industry is making to the communities in which it operates.

“Across the board, we see examples where members and their employees are making a real difference to the lives of others, through their support for the post-pandemic recovery, their backing for local communities, charities and grassroots sports clubs hit hard by the pandemic, their commitment to inclusion and diversity and their determination to tackle climate change.

“I’m especially proud of the contribution made by so many people who work in our industry. I know that many of them – with the support of their employers – are active in their local communities and our report includes several inspiring examples of industry employees who have gone the extra mile to help others.

“This social contribution is of course in addition to huge economic benefits our members generate, which are proving vital as the Government seeks to repair the financial damage caused by Covid.”