The United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission is presently reevaluating its gaming regulations, and those involved in the wagering sector are keen to emphasize that the majority of bettors are not problematic.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), a UK-based industry organization, highlights that a mere 0.3% of gamblers are classified as having a gambling problem. They contend that the overwhelming majority of the 22.5 million individuals in the UK who partake in a wager do so responsibly and without causing any harm.
The BGC expresses its support for the government’s endeavors to safeguard vulnerable individuals but maintains that any newly implemented regulations should not penalize the average citizen who enjoys placing a bet. Their stance is that the emphasis should persist on providing assistance to the small fraction of individuals who encounter gambling-related harm.
In recent years, Britain has made considerable progress in fostering a more secure gaming landscape. Through the enactment of 11 regulations and over 80 targeted actions, rules have been strengthened, resulting in a sharp decline in harmful gambling prevalence. Since 2017, these figures have almost been cut in half, now resting at a remarkably modest 0.3%, positioning it among the lowest internationally.
This accomplishment has not come at the industry’s detriment. The British gaming sector contributes a significant £71 billion (equivalent to $93 billion) to the national economy and sustains over 100,000 employment opportunities. As Michael Dugher, the head of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), highlights, engagement in gambling has, in fact, risen, but importantly, problematic gambling has diminished.
The BGC is committed to guaranteeing this favorable trajectory persists. They advocate for tighter restrictions on social platform marketing to further safeguard young individuals from potential risks.