The Betting and Gaming Council has urged the British government to “honor its commitments” on frictionless financial risk checks. This follows a recent announcement that the Petitions Committee will discuss the issue.

In 2023, Nevin Truesdale, CEO of the Jockey Club, launched a petition against the affordability checks, arguing that they are discriminatory and harmful. According to him, the measure would make betting unsustainable for many people, forcing them to go to the black market.

Truesdale’s petition eventually surpassed its target goal of 100,000 signatures. As a result, the Petitions Committee confirmed that a debate will be held on February 26.

In the wake of this announcement, the BGC praised Truesdale’s petition. The council reiterated its support for “frictionless, enhanced spending checks online.” According to the body, such measures must target people who exhibit signs of harm, allowing swift intervention.

However, the council also agrees that this measure must be truly frictionless and must not interfere with the vast majority of gamblers who play safely and responsibly.

Dugher Praised Truesdale’s Initiative

Michael Dugher, the BGC’s chief executive officer, weighed in on the matter, saying that the Parliament must honor its commitment to make the checks truly frictionless.

At the BGC we supported enhanced checks for online gambling, but have been clear throughout that checks should be carefully targeted on those showing signs of problem gambling, or those who are at risk of harm, so operators can use technology to take swift action.

Michael Dugher, CEO, BGC

Dugher pointed out that a vast majority of punters in the UK have made it clear that they will not submit to intrusive checks. Since many players play safely and responsibly, the government must be careful not to drive them to the unregulated black market, the BGC CEO said. Dugher added that his team is closely working with the UK Gambling Commission to make sure that there would be a proper pilot before a permanent change is introduced.

In the meantime, Dugher congratulated Nevin Truesdale for helping to secure an “important parliamentary debate.”

Nevin Truesdale and his team have injected a much-needed dose of common sense. Too often, the debate around gambling has been dominated by a handful of out-of-touch anti-gambling prohibitionists whose enthusiasm for draconian changes would wreck great British sports like racing.

Michael Dugher, CEO, BGC

The BGC CEO added that blanket measures would endanger the British gambling sector. This sector, he reminded, contributes £7.1 billion (roughly $9 million) to the economy a year, generates £4.2 billion ($5.3 billion) in tax and supports some 110,000 jobs.

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Brigid Simmonds, chair of Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), will step down on April 20, 2024, the industry standards body announced. The announcement also noted that Michael Dugher, the council’s chief executive officer, will step in as the new chair from April 21.

Brigid Simmonds has served the BGC since its inception in 2019 and has been instrumental in its development. Having served the body for four years and a half, Simmonds will finally depart, leaving behind an organization that is stronger than ever.

The outgoing chair said that the opportunity to serve the BGC and represent some 110,000 gambling industry workers for almost half a decade has been a privilege. She said that she really enjoyed working with all BGC members to raise standards within the industry, create a culture of safer gaming and build public trust.

Simmonds thanked everyone who has supported her throughout her years as the BGC’s chairman.

I would like to thank the Executive Committee, colleagues, members, charities and stakeholders, who have supported me and worked very hard to deliver all of the achievements of which the BGC is rightly proud.

Brigid Simmonds, outgoing chair, Betting and Gaming Council

Simmonds recently defended Safer Gambling Week, highlighting the industry’s commitment to responsible practices.

Dugher Will Succeed Simmonds as Chair

Michael Dugher, the council’s chief executive officer, paid tribute to Brigid, thanking her for the incredible work she has done for the organization. He highlighted her contribution in launching the organization and bringing together the different sectors. Dugher also praised the outgoing chair’s change program that sought to raise standards on safer gambling.

Brigid is a high-integrity leader who is rightly held in huge regard, not just in the betting and gaming industry, but across so many other industries and sectors, and across the political divide.

Michael Dugher, CEO, Betting and Gaming Council

In the meantime, Dugher said that he is looking forward to welcoming a new CEO in the spring and assuming the role of chairman. He promised that he would leverage his new position to continue raising the safer gambling standards in the UK.

The BGC reiterated its support for high standards and balanced, proportionate and effective reforms. Some of the measures outlined in the white paper were promoted by the BGC, helping Britain usher in a new age of safer gambling.

For reference, BGC members support over 110,000 jobs, contribute some £7.1 billion to the economy and raise £4.2 billion in taxes to fund vital public services.

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Simmonds staunchly defended Safer Gambling Week, denouncing critics who she claims attacked the campaign due to their general aversion towards betting and gaming activities. The yearly campaign has enjoyed resounding success, uniting the UK gambling industry in support of gambling harm prevention and awareness. Simmonds was adamant that regulated operators adhered to strict guidelines and prioritized customer safety.

Last Year’s Event Was a Resounding Success

Simmonds highlighted the overwhelming success of Safer Gambling Week 2023, which extended beyond physical gambling venues such as betting shops, casinos, and bingo clubs, aiming to encourage conversations around responsible gambling. Simmonds noted a substantial positive impact from last year’s campaign, with around 200,000 accounts setting deposit limits and a remarkable 300% increase in players actively using reality checks.

Last year’s campaign also achieved impressive success online, garnering over 50 million impressions across major platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, marking a 70% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the Safer Gambling Week website witnessed half a million visits, indicating a significant uptake in accessing advice and support resources.

This truly was a whole industry endeavor; online, in betting shops, in bingo halls and casinos.

Bridgid Simmonds, BGC Chair

Simmonds reiterated the industry’s commitment to promoting responsible gambling, noting that the vast majority of participants engaged in gambling safely. She acknowledged the significance of addressing problem gambling while emphasizing the need to raise standards and promote responsible gaming practices, contributing to a sustainable, player-oriented market.

Simmonds Attempted to Deflect Rising Criticisms

Speaking for Politics Home, Simmonds expressed dismay at persistent criticism from certain quarters despite robust support from the government, independent regulators, and cross-party parliamentary backing. She accused detractors of merely disliking the gambling and gaming industry, thus undermining efforts to enhance industry standards.

They are not interested in genuine attempts to drive up standards – they simply dislike betting and gaming – and by extension, dislike those who enjoy it.

Bridgid Simmonds, BGC Chair

The BGC Chair highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts beyond Safer Gambling Week, asserting the continuation of responsible gambling initiatives throughout the year. Simmonds confirmed that the BGC would continue dedicating time and resources to amplifying safer gambling tools and broadening support avenues for those in need.

Simmonds’s statements come during a tumultuous time for the UK gambling sector as the government finalizes consultations on its gambling white paper. Recent revelations regarding politicians receiving donations from the BGC raised lobbying concerns, while a proposed gambling tax increase caused further friction. While the industry’s safe gambling efforts are commendable, it should not so easily dismiss valid criticisms.

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The 2019-established single standards body for the UK’s betting and gambling industry, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has given its good wishes to two of its members who have been given important positions in the Labour Shadow Cabinet. 

Namely, Thangam Debbonaire MP has been anointed as the new shadow secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport while Stephanie Peacock MP received the honor of being appointed as the new shadow minister for Sport, Gambling and Media.

The Appointments Came at a “Crucial Time” for the Industry

The body that represents more than 90% of all regulated retail betting shops, online betting and gaming operators, as well as casinos and bingo operators, used the voice of chief executive officer Michael Dugher to acknowledge the importance of the two appointments at what he called a “crucial time” for the gambling industry in the UK.

Dugher also took the opportunity to emphasize the support offered by its members to tens of thousands of jobs, alongside their members’ £7.1 billion ($8.8 billion) contribution to the economy and £4.2 billion ($5.2 million) raised in taxes used to support critical public services on a yearly basis.

The BGC, Eager to Work with Debbonaire and Peacock to “Raise Standards”

While busy working on eight separate consultations as a result of the Government’s gambling white paper that was published in April and backed by the body, Dugher explained the BGC was eager to continue its collaboration with both Debbonaire and Peacock in an ongoing effort to keep raising responsible gambling standards, promote safer gambling practices, and make the demands and concerns of bettors and industry workers well heard.

The CEO called their goals to improve safer gambling standards “the bedrock” of their work while explaining their members were currently working hard to complete all their tasks and deliver all proposals established in the white paper. In other words, the BGC is taking advantage of the “once in a generation opportunity to improve standards” and bring important changes for punters and sport.

One of the eight critical consultations is focused on financial risk checks, with the body expressing its support for adopting improved and “frictionless” spending checks for online bettors. The spending checks would be targeted in such a way as to avoid causing more harm to vulnerable players.

The BGC has been collaborating with senior leaders in the horse racing industry who have expressed their concerns that “intrusive financial checks” might damage the sport by interfering with the vast majority of safe and responsible punters. 

The body also announced that the current requirement that 20% of TV and radio advertising be devoted to emitting messages promoting safer gambling would be further extended to online forms of advertising.

The BGC has also asked social media giants to partner with them and work on fresh measures that would restrict the marketing from reaching youngsters and problem gamblers. 

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Members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) have poured £455 million ($581 million) into British horseracing in 2021, in the form of sponsorship agreements, levies, and media rights, according to fresh data from the council. 

BGC Members Now Paying More “Than Ever Before” 

According to the BGC’s chief executive officer, Michael Dugher, members of the council are currently showing more financial support than ever before towards British horseracing. This is in spite of the 10.3% drop in betting turnover on racing recorded over the past five years.

Dugher acknowledged horseracing as a leading British sport with millions of fans worldwide as well as a “vital pillar of the economy” with importance to a large number of communities and the tens of thousands of jobs that it currently supports.

Going further, the CEO spoke about the ongoing “symbiotic relationship between betting and racing,” explaining that the duo’s success and future prosperity can only come by working together towards a shared growth goal aimed at the sport “as a product.”

Dugher also explained that the funding from BGC members only originates from licensed bookmakers interested in making sure that racing not only survives but also thrives, mentioning that the unsafe black gambling market continues to grow as a threat while not making any contributions to horseracing.

Bookmakers also spent £125 million ($159 million) on marketing aimed at promoting racing and betting via partnership deals and advertisements, further supporting the terrestrial coverage of the popular sport via two different racing channels and newspaper appearances.

Media rights payments surpassed prior estimates, going up by close to £45 million ($57 million) compared to 2022 when the total reached £340 million ($434 million).

Levy payments are expected to reach £99 million ($126 million) for 2022/2023, signaling a raise from £50 million ($63 million) recorded in the year 2016/2017, according to data from the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

The record 2022 investment allowed horseracing to use some of the revenues to reach a new record in relation to the delivered prize money, a figure that totaled £179.3 million ($228.9 million).

Second to soccer, horseracing is the second most popular sport in the UK. Each year, it gathers over five million people attending approximately 1,400 fixtures spread across 59 different racecourses.

In mid-July, the BGC expressed its support for the White Paper reforms revealed in April while advocating for responsible gambling. In March, the Council reported an increase in the use of safer gambling tools.

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The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the industry body representing the UK gaming and betting sector, faces criticism over the representation of information on separate occasions, a Monday report released by The Guardian reveals. The announcement comes at a time when BGC’s boss, Michael Dugher, is planned to appear in front of MPs on Tuesday as a part of the government’s plans to overhaul the regulation of the gambling industry in the country.

The Liberal Democrat peer Lord Foster, the new report suggests, raised his concerns about the reliability of the BGC, in light of controversial information regarding the results of a study published earlier this year. The study involved the impact of the illegal gambling market during the World Cup in Qatar between November and December 2022.

The results of the study, published late in January this year, warned that the number of UK gamblers visiting the unregulated online gambling market tripled during the World Cup. At the time the study was released, Dugher warned about the dangers of the black market and urged lawmakers to take a careful approach and “resist blanket, intrusive affordability checks at low levels that push even more punters to these dangerous sites.”

However, Foster argued that the representation of that particular report wasn’t entirely accurate, although the full report, which was compiled by Yield Sec, a gambling analysis firm, wasn’t published. Still, The Guardian noted that after obtaining a copy, it was uncovered that despite the increase in the customers visiting black market operators, they amounted to as little as 1% of the spent on gambling for the period. Additionally, the report described the impact of the unregulated market as “low.”

Criticism Comes amid Changes to the Gambling Regulations

Additional alleged inconsistencies included BGC’s stance on the mandatory levy for gambling operators to contribute toward gambling addiction treatment, education and research. Earlier this year, the Council said that such a move would be “welcomed” by its members but last year, Dugher labeled the mandatory levy for gambling companies to treat gambling-related harm as a “big step backwards.”

Referring to the report released earlier this year, Foster claimed that BGC’s representation wasn’t “fully accurate.” What’s more, he pointed out: “The solution to addressing the black market is to introduce proper enforcement to disrupt the operations of these sites … rather than abandoning much needed additional regulation of the gambling industry.”

The announcement comes at a time of change for the regulated gambling market in the country. It follows the review of the Gambling Act which sought to improve the regulations and make them more suitable for the digital age, amid growth and expansion of the online gambling and betting industry.

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Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) announced that charities will be the biggest winners at the Britannia Stakes race at Royal Ascot. According to the council, its members will donate all profits from tomorrow’s race to a selection of notable charity organizations.

In celebration of the King’s coronation, the biggest bookmakers in the UK will donate their proceeds to organizations such as SportAid, the Holocaust Educational Trust, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, SAS Regimental Association (SASRA), Ascot Racecourse Supports and Together for Looked After Children.

Many major operators, including Flutter, bet365, Entain, 888 William Hill, Kindred, Betway, Rank Group, Virgin Bet, LivescoreBet, Tote, Fitzdares and Bet with Ascot have committed to the initiative. Under the terms, companies will hand over profits from win and each-way bets, after levy and duties are deducted.

In the unlikely case operators fail to make a profit on the race, they agreed to collectively donate $318,000 (converted to USD) to the aforementioned charities.

The Charities Praised the Initiative

BGC’s chief executive officer, Michael Dugher, commented on the initiative, praising Royal Ascot as one of the best horseracing events in Britain. He said that he is delighted that BGC’s largest members will honor the King’s Coronation by donating their profits to “outstanding charities.”

It is also a fitting tribute to the Late Queen Elizabeth II, whose passion for horse racing was known throughout the world, having bred so many successful horses and clocking up 1,800 winners in her time.

Michael Dugher, CEO, BGC

Ascot Racecourse’s CEO, Alastair Warwick, praised the bookmakers for the initiative, saying that it has been extremely well received since its first iteration in 2020.

Representatives of the recipient charities also commented on the matter, lauding the BGC members for their commitment to helping those in need. Their full statements can be read on the BGC’s official website.

British Betting Continues to Flourish

This is not the first time operators have agreed to donate their proceeds from the annual race to charity either. Last year, BGC members raised a staggering $1.5 million for good causes. The current event will mark the fourth time BGC members will share their profits with charities. The BGC, which was founded in 2019, has so far donated over $7 million to a variety of good causes.

Britain’s betting industry is flourishing, contributing millions in tax to the Treasury each year. The country’s retail shops support 42,000 jobs on the British high streets, while the overall regulated gambling industry supports 110,000 jobs.

British gambling and sports betting donate $5.35 billion in taxes and contribute $9 billion to the economy each year. These figures come from an average of 22.5 million monthly bettors.

In other news, the BGC recently agreed to work with social media platforms to make gaming safer.

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France and Belgium’s regulators have signed a new cooperation protocol that will see them share information and coordinate their regulatory activities. The authorities hope that this new alliance will help them promote safer gambling across the two countries.

As outlined in the document, l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) and the Belgian Gambling Commission (BGC) will cooperate on a strategic level. In addition to sharing data, the two bodies will probe the sector together and will compile collaborative reports.

In addition, the two regulators promised to keep each other updated on any regulatory amendments that may happen in the future.

The full collaboration agreement is available on the website of the BGC but, as of the time of this writing, the protocol is only available in French.

The document bears the signatures of Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin and Magali Clavie, chairwomen at the ANJ and BGC respectively. It was signed during the European Gaming Regulators Forum that took place last week.

France and Belgium Seek Further Regulation

The collaboration comes amid intense efforts to regulate gambling in the two markets. France, for example, has serious problems with problem and underage gambling and has been seeking new measures that would solve the issue.

To that end, the ANJ recently prohibited sponsorship campaigns featuring sports celebrities, hoping that this will lead to a decrease in harm. In addition, the ANJ places its licenses’ safer gambling plans under intense scrutiny, rejecting those that are deemed insufficient.

Gambling is very popular in France, bringing billions in revenues and millions in tax money. However, the high problem gambling rates are something that has concerned the ANJ for a long time now.

Just like France, Belgium seeks to limit the negative effects of gambling advertising. Because of that, the country will introduce a ban on advertising that is scheduled to kick off on July 1 and has the support of King Philippe and Justice Minister Vincent van Quickenborne. It will effectively prevent companies from actively advertising their products to the general populace, hopefully leading to a decrease in gambling harm.

The decision to crack down on ads in Belgium comes amid what many called a “tsunami of advertising.” Many customers have complained about being constantly bombarded by gambling ads, which is especially bad for vulnerable people.

Belgium has further plans to remove gambling imagery from sports fields starting in 2025 and banning sports sponsorship deals with gambling companies from 2028.

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Some of the UK’s top charities will benefit this year from a donation that will be made by members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). The council confirmed Thursday that leading bookmakers in the country vowed to donate all profits from the upcoming handicap Britannia Stakes Race at this year’s Royal Ascot.

Members of BGC that will contribute to the noble cause include bet365, Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), 888 William Hill, Betway, Kindred (Unibet), Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), Tote, Fitzdares and Bet as well as Virgin Bet and LivescoreBet.

All of those leading companies agreed to back the fundraising initiative and donate their profits. Britannia Stakes is a landmark race that will take place on June 22, 2023, at Royal Ascot. The profits of the bookmakers from the race will bring valuable funds for different charities such as SAS Regimental Association (SASRA), Together for Looked After Children, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Since 2019, when the BGC was created, it has helped raise more than £5.5 million ($6.8 million) for good causes, helping different charities. When it comes to the iconic big-field heritage handicap, BGC members helped raise some £1.2 million ($1.5 million) last year. It is unclear whether or not the donations from this year’s race will surpass the one from 2022. Yet, the BGC said that even if bookmakers don’t make a profit this year, they will make a combined donation of £250,000 ($309,300) which will benefit nominated charities.

Donations Continue to Help Charities

Alastair Warwick, Ascot Racecourse’s chief executive, explained that it is great to see leading bookmakers in the country once again contribute with donations to charities from the Britannia Stakes. Finally, Warwick noted: “The money raised since 2020 has been extremely well received, including by our own Ascot Racecourse Supports program and the contributions have enabled us to support some extremely worthy causes and carry out important work in the community.”

“I am once again delighted that the BGC’s largest members are helping celebrate the King’s Coronation by raising vital funds at the Royal Meeting for some of the country’s top charities.“

Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC

Michael Dugher, BGC’s chief executive, was similarly excited and said that it is great to see the raising of funds for charities in celebration of the coronation of the King. He acknowledged that those funds bring valuable support to charities in the UK. Finally, Dugher thanked everyone for their support and dedication to helping charities.

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In response to the mandatory levy that is expected as part of the UK government’s white paper on the gambling industry, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has said that the fee must be tiered to protect land-based casino operators.

The body said it was not fazed about the imposition of the statutory levy because its members had already been voluntarily contributing to support health and charitable organizations in the UK. While it was the BGC that proposed to the government last year that contributions should be made mandatory, it advised that a blanket fee must not be implemented.  

The council says a one-size-fits-all approach would financially harm land-based casinos, which have more overhead costs including more premises and staff. Similar to other retail, hospitality, and entertainment businesses, land-based casinos continue to face challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic and are experiencing challenging economic conditions.

READ: Best UK casino sites in 2023

The BGC said that imposing a one per cent levy on land-based operators would result in a reduction of post-tax profits by approximately 10 to 15 per cent, owing to fixed expenses that do not impact online operators in the same manner.

Speaking on the development, BGC CEO Michael Dugher said, “What’s important is that the money goes to helping the tiny minority of people who need it, not wasted on the cottage industry of anti-gambling prohibitionists, masquerading their biased work as ‘research’. 

“But most importantly, any new system must be tiered to protect land-based operators like bingo, casinos and betting shops, who have disproportionately higher fixed costs because of buildings and tens of thousands of staff.”

It is expected that the levy will help fund the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which has declined donations from the gaming industry until now for moral reasons.

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