Safer gambling push must align with bookmakers' sponsorships, says BGC chief

A further push to promote safer gambling must go “hand in hand” with bookmakers’ sponsorship of sports such as football, racing and darts, according to the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

Bookmakers sponsor a number of festive sporting highlights including the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, Coral Welsh Grand National and William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London.

These form part of the estimated £350 million paid by members of the BGC, an industry body representing the majority of retail, online and casino operators, towards racing alone each year via sponsorship, levy and media rights payments, with tens of millions of pounds also going to clubs in the football league in England, to darts and to snooker.

However, Michael Dugher, BGC chief executive, said it was crucial for his members to continue to highlight the importance of safer gambling with the UK government’s review into the 2005 Gambling Act set to become clearer next year.

“BGC members are proud to provide financial support to sport in a variety of ways, but it’s also important that this goes hand in hand with our work on promoting safer gambling,” Dugher said.

“Around 30 million people in Britain – half the population – enjoy a flutter, and the vast majority do so safely. As we wait for the government to publish its White Paper, I hope that promoting safer gambling continues to be an integral part of the betting and gaming industry’s commitment to supporting sport.”

A number of initiatives have already been put in place by BGC members around safer gambling, including ensuring that 20 per cent of television and radio adverts are on the subject, the £10m Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme delivered by GamCare and the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust, and a new code of conduct for football clubs on social media preventing the creation of posts linking to gambling website.

More articles on Responsible Gambling:

Will Safer Gambling Week protect players better than responsible gambling did?

Fighting on the frontline of gambling addiction as casualties rise during Covid

'I was working all hours but had no money. Just gambling to extinction'

Is the 10.30 at Mysore the bookies' idea of responsible gambling?

Regulator tells operators to believe in better responsible gambling or quit

If you are concerned about your gambling and are worried you may have a problem, click here to find advice on how you can receive help