UK bookmakers want to avoid gambling crackdown

The biggest bookmakers in the UK are committed to pay more than €120 million to avoid a gambling crackdown.

UK.- The owners of UK’s biggest gambling companies, William Hill, Bet 365, Coral Ladbrokes, Paddy Power Betfair and Skybet, have offered to increase the voluntary levy on gambling profits from 0.1% to 1% over the next five years.

The gambling firms offered the government an increase in the money they contribute in order to tackle problem gambling, BBC reported. While last year they raised €12 million thanks to the voluntary levy, the increase from 0.1% to 1% would contribute €120 million per year for gambling charities.

The companies said this in a letter to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This comes after the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) reported that they need more staff, research and treatment and that they need approximately €75 million. The companies also said that they’re committed to increasing the messages of safe gambling and reviewing the tone of their ads.

Jeremy Wright talked about the move

Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State at the DCMS, said: “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. 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.”

The operators said in the letter that they are committed “to collaborate to address gambling-related harm with the priority of protecting the young and vulnerable.”