UK’s biggest operators pledge £100m to help problem gamblers

A £100m contribution to improving treatment and care for problem gamblers has been promised by some of the UK’s biggest gambling operators. Bet365, GVC, William Hill, PaddyPower Betfair, and Sky betting have all pledged to increase their contribution to GambleAware from 0.1% to 0.25% of their annual revenue, aiming for a 1% contribution by 2023.

These 5 operators are all members of The Betting and Gaming Council, an association that champions upholding industry standards through its own code of conduct. Annual contributions by members to gambling charities go towards funding research, education and treatment of problem gambling, so this extra boost of £100m will go a long way.

Most of these operators are also involved in the UK Gambling Commission's safer gambling industry groups, which were set up to make gambling products, gambving marketing strategies and casino VIP schemes safer for all users.

The Council is also committed to spending £10 million annually on educating young people aged 11-19 about safer gambling and the dangers of problem gambling. A further £2.5 million will be made available to GamCare’s own gambling education projects too.

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock welcomed the announcement, saying: “I’m delighted the Betting and Gaming Council is taking these steps to support treatment and provision for problem gamblers” 

He continues, “The Government will continue to tackle the consequences of problem gambling by rolling out specialist services on the NHS, which will offer expert care and treatment for those who need it.” 

The Betting and Gaming Council was founded in 2019 as part of a new safer gambling initiative designed to reduce gambling harm through education, stricter gambling marketing and improved services for problem gamblers. 

Events like Safer Gambling Week 2020 are a good step in the right direction for publicising resources and services for problem gamblers, which are helped massively by industry funding and the support of the government.