Bookmakers offer major increase in funding to tackle problem gambling

Five of Britain's biggest gambling operators have agreed to significantly increase the amount they contribute to treatment and research of problem gambling.

Culture secretary Jeremy Wright said he had been encouraged by the sector's willingness to do more as part of wider discussions between government and the industry.

The five companies – bet365, Sky Bet, William Hill and the owners of Ladbrokes Coral and Paddy Power Betfair – have agreed to increase their voluntary contribution from 0.1 per cent of their gross profits to one per cent over the next five years.

The chief executives of the five companies will also undertake a consultation process to develop a long-term plan "to protect the young and vulnerable from gambling-related harm and to ensure a rapid expansion of treatment provision for problem gamblers."

They plan to agree a long-term costed plan by the end of the year.

William Hill: one of the operators to have committed to the funding pledgeCredit: David Dew

A spokesperson for the five companies said: "We have engaged constructively with the DCMS secretary of state on safer gambling measures including an increase in voluntary funding for research, education and treatment.

"We will continue to engage on the issues and will consult with all relevant stakeholders on this to understand how best to achieve our shared aim of minimising the impact of gambling-related harm.

"In addition, we have been working with a broader number of operators on measures to minimise gambling-related harm and will comment on them in due course."

Politicians, campaigners and those involved in tackling problem gambling, including the Gambling Commission, have called for the current voluntary system to be replaced by a mandatory levy, although ministers have so far resisted such calls.

Wright said on Wednesday: "I want the gambling industry to step up on social responsibility and keep their players safe, including through making more funding available for research, education and treatment to tackle problem gambling.

"I have met the major players in the sector recently and my department is in discussions with them on a strong package to increase their financial contribution as well as make meaningful commitments on other measures to help ensure people gamble safely.

Tom Watson: the Labour deputy leader has called for a mandatory levyCredit: Phil Harris / Mirrorpix

"Protecting people and their families from the risks of gambling-related harm is a priority for this government and I am encouraged that the sector now recognises that they need to do more."

Voluntary donations to the charity GambleAware last year raised nearly £10 million and if the offer made by the bookmakers was spread across the whole industry, the sum would increase to £100m.

At present there is one dedicated gambling addiction treatment centre in London, with a second centre due to open in Leeds this summer. It is understood the industry would stagger the increase in funding over the five-year period as provision of services becomes more comprehensive.

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson is among those who have called for a mandatory levy on the industry and this week said there must be "formal processes of auditing, impact assessments, training and clinical standards attached to how that levy is spent".

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