The U.K.’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has hailed the government’s new growth plan and saw members and the industry support the plan.
Prime Minister Liz Truss’s new government September 23 unveiled a package of initiatives designed to encourage growth and improve the economy, which is in the doldrums.
BGC CEO Michael Dugher said he expected 15,000 new gaming jobs to be created by 2027. He said in a statement: “The regulated betting and gaming sector backs the government’s growth plan and is ready to play its part in its ambitious growth agenda.” He added, “The government has set out a bold plan to revive the economy. This can only be achieved by setting the right regulatory framework for businesses to thrive.”
Dugher added, “We are also supporting the government’s Levelling Up agenda with huge and growing world-leading British tech in cities such as Stoke-on-Trent and Leeds. Betting and gaming supports over 8,500 jobs in these areas alone, while contributing over £630m to their local economies.”
He added, “We are also supporting the government’s Levelling Up agenda with huge and growing world-leading British tech in cities such as Stoke-on-Trent and Leeds. Betting and gaming supports over 8,500 jobs in these areas alone, while contributing over £630m to their local economies.”
Dugher also again urged the government to publish the long-delayed gambling White Paper that has been hanging fire for many months, and whose issue was delayed by the resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Its purpose is to update the 2005 Gambling Act, which was further delayed by the Covid pandemic.
He added, “We are committed to continuing to raise standards on safer gambling and urge the government to work with the industry to make progress on a gambling white paper soon, so that our members have the regulatory clarity they need to invest in the future.”
He concluded, “We believe the right regulatory reforms can help a thriving sector reach new heights, while delivering on the government’s goal to improve player safety, a goal we share and are already working towards.”
However, there have also been reports that the new government might ax the Gambling Act review.
