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A top gambling executive warned over the weekend that if UK gambling companies do not meet their pledges to donate ₤4 million to “The Responsibility in Gambling Trust”, whose work is containing problem and underage gambling, they could be faced with levies.
The CEO of the Gala Coral Group, Neil Goulden, told the Timesonline that the industry's failure to meet voluntary pledges will likely result in it facing a statutory government levy.
The gaming industry undertook earlier this year to raise ₤4 million for a charity called the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RiGT). That money was earmarked for use in commissioning research into gaming, for education and for treatment. So far, however, only ₤1.7 million has been forthcoming, and the bulk of that has come from the sector’s three big players: William Hill, Gala Coral and Ladbrokes.
The 3 companies had agreed to come up with ₤450,000 each. Goulden will issue his warning at an industry conference which will be attended by ministers is to be held tomorrow. The Gambling Commission, said: “We are over ₤2 million short of our target and this is unacceptable. There is no room for complacency about problem gambling within the industry and companies are now expected to make their contribution. If the industry will not voluntarily fund RiGT, we should not be surprised if a statutory levy is imposed on us. That would reflect badly on the entire industry.
“And in the end it will mean that the smaller companies will end up paying more.”
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