Established in 2019, the single standards body for the UK betting and gaming industry, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has extended its good wishes to two of its members who have been given important positions in Labour's Shadow Cabinet.
Most notably, Thangama Debbonera MP was appointed as the new Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, and Stephanie Peacock MP was honored to be appointed as the new Shadow Minister for Sport, Gaming and Media.
The appointments come at a “defining moment” for the industry.The organization, which represents more than 90% of all regulated retail bookmakers, online betting and gaming operators, and casino and bingo operators, used the voice of CEO Michael Dagher to acknowledge the importance of the two appointments at what he described as a "crucial time" for UK gambling industry.
Dagher also took the opportunity to highlight the support its members provide to tens of thousands of jobs, as well as their members' contribution to the economy of £7.1 billion (US$8.8 billion) and £4.2 billion (5 $2 million) collected in taxes used to support critical government services annually.
BGC aims to work with Debbonaire and Peacock to 'raise standards'Busy working on eight separate consultations as a result of the government's gambling white paper, which was published in April and supported by the body, Dagher explained that the BGC is committed to continuing to work with both Debbonaire and Peacock in ongoing efforts to improve accountability. gambling standards, promote safer gambling practices and ensure that the demands and concerns of players and industry workers are heard.
The CEO described their goals of improving safer gambling standards as the "core" of their work, explaining that their members are currently working hard to meet all their targets and implement all proposals outlined in the white paper. In other words, the BGC is seizing a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve standards” and make important changes in the lives of players and the sport.
One of the top eight consultations focuses on financial risk checks, with the organization voicing its support for the introduction of improved and "seamless" spending checks for online players. Spending checks will be directed in a way that does not further harm vulnerable players.
The BGC is partnering with top horse racing industry leaders who have raised concerns that "intrusive financial scrutiny" could be detrimental to the sport by thwarting the vast majority of safe and responsible players.
The Authority also announced that the current requirement that 20% of television and radio advertising be devoted to the dissemination of messages promoting safer gambling will be further extended to online forms of advertising.
BGC has also reached out to the social media giants to work with them to work on new measures that would limit marketing's reach to youth and problem gamblers.