BGC respond to Iain Duncan Smith
We need to ensure that the Review targets problem gamblers and further protects those who are vulnerable or who are at risk, whilst at the same time not driving customers to unregulated black market online where there are no safer gambling standards or restrictions.
According to Iain Duncan-Smith’s own Government last week, approximately 0.5% of the adult population are problem gamblers and this rate has remained broadly steady for the past 20 years.
Nevertheless, one problem gambler is one too many, which is precisely why we have strongly supported the Review as an important opportunity to make more changes and to further promote safer gambling.
There have always been a minority of people who are anti-gambling, but the truth is - again as Iain Duncan-Smith’s own Government made clear - millions of people do enjoy an occasional flutter on sports, on the National Lottery, in casinos, on bingo and online, and the overwhelming majority do so perfectly safely.
We need to ensure that the Review targets problem gamblers and further protects those who are vulnerable or who are at risk, whilst at the same time not driving customers to unregulated black market online where there are no safer gambling standards or restrictions.
I also hope that the millions of people who enjoy a bet, as well as the 100,000 hardworking, decent men and women who are employed in the industry, have their say in the Review, as well as Sir Iain of course”.
