Betting & Gaming Council statement on the Budget
BGC CEO Grainne Hurst, said: “We welcome today’s budget and its commitment to not increase gambling duties on the regulated betting and gaming sector.
“We have been clear, any duty rises now would have hit customers, prevented growth, risked jobs and bolstered the unsafe, unregulated gambling black market.
“Government has listened to the BGC and our members, got the balance right, and rejected calls from anti-gambling prohibitionists seeking to threaten jobs and growth.
“With policy for the sector already set, our members can look to support the Government’s ambitious growth agenda, generating tax, jobs and investment across the nation while continuing to support sports like horseracing.
“While there have been no rises in gambling duties, we will study the impact that increased Employers’ National Insurance Contributions will have on BGC members, particularly smaller operators like independent bookmakers and land-based leisure operators, like casinos.
“BGC members contribute £6.8bn to the economy, generate £4bn in tax while supporting 109,000 jobs.
“The regulated betting and gaming industry also provides some of the country’s most popular sport with vital funding.
“According to a report by EY commissioned by the BGC, horseracing benefits to the tune of £350m annually, the English Football League and its clubs receive £40m, and snooker, darts and rugby league receiving more than £12.5m.
“BGC members are working with the Government and the Gambling Commission to deliver the proposals contained in the White Paper, many of which we called for to raise standards.
“Each month around 22.5 million people in Britain enjoy a bet, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online, and the overwhelming majority do so safely and responsibly.
“The most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers.”
