BGC urges white paper to end polarised gambling debates

License: Pexels, Free to use, Author: vwalakte

According to the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the recently published Gambling Act white paper should put an end to "lengthy and often polarised debates" surrounding the industry in recent years. BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said that the white paper is a "once in a generation moment for change" and welcomes the government's proposals for "a wide-ranging package of balanced, proportionate and effective reforms" which will protect jobs and sustain the vital contribution made by BGC members to the economy. The BGC will collaborate with the government and Gambling Commission to deliver key elements of the review, including enhanced spending checks and plans for a new ombudsman to rule on customers' complaints relating to social responsibility or gambling harm.

Dugher also praised the government for balancing the level of change in the white paper, rejecting proposals for blanket, low-level and intrusive affordability checks, and calls for bans on advertising, sports sponsorship and consumer promotions. He called for a focus on continuing to drive higher standards while investing in jobs and businesses in the UK's world-leading regulated industry. Meanwhile, Entain CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen welcomed the clarity the white paper brings for the industry and customers and said that the review is an important step towards regulations for the digital age.