UK betting and gaming industry leads the way “Levelling Up” the United Kingdom
Britain’s regulated betting and gaming industry will generate 15,000 tech jobs in the next five years, as part of an ambitious Levelling Up agenda benefitting the whole UK.
The online betting, gaming and bingo sector already directly employs 10,000 high skilled technology jobs and supports a further 30,000 posts, but industry experts predict even more job creation outside London based on current global growth trends for UK based betting and gaming businesses.
It comes as members of the Betting and Gaming Council, the standards body for the regulated betting and gaming industry, have been praised for their work providing jobs, skills and investment outside the capital in a landmark report by the Purpose Coalition, published today.
The Purpose Coalition is made up of the UK's most innovative purpose-led leaders and organisations and members include the BBC, Amazon, NHS Trusts, UK councils and UK universities amongst others.
Their report sets out how BGC members are at the forefront of entertainment and technology development and are determined to play their part in helping Britain build back better from the Covid pandemic, with the majority of this incredible work taking place outside the capital.
Many of these high skilled roles will be using technology to deliver on the industry’s commitment to drive up higher standards in safer gaming, particularly online.
Nearly two thirds of posts are already based outside London with nearly 20,000 in the West Midlands alone. BGC members have founded tech powerhouses in places like Stoke where 4,000 people are employed and 1,700 people in Leeds, and support Britain’s hard pressed high streets through modern betting shops, as well as the hospitality and tourism sector, through casinos.
Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council Michael Dugher: “The BGC wants to build a world class industry that is better understood, respected and a fully engaged member of the communities in which we operate.
“We are proud to work with the Purpose Coalition on the Levelling Up Goals and it is great to see how our members are providing high skilled, well-paid jobs across the retail, hospitality, and tech sectors.
“The report has given the BGC a framework to help further deliver meaningful and measurable progress, so that we become more outward looking and ensure our members contribute to every corner of the UK.
“Our members are global leaders in the betting and gaming industry, with the online betting, gaming and bingo sector now on track to deliver another 15,000 high paid, high skilled jobs. The only thing that risks that growth will be poorly conceived regulations that hamper business and threaten jobs.”
Jo Gideon, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, added: “I welcome the latest report from the Purpose Coalition which underlines how the betting and gaming industry is leading the levelling-up agenda across the UK.
“BGC members, such as bet365 in Stoke-on-Trent, are providing high skilled, good quality jobs that provide excellent long term career opportunities for families across the area. As we deal with the legacy of Covid-19 and challenges such as the cost of living, the importance of responsible organisations and the role they play has never been greater.”
The Purpose Coalition helps organisations and companies measure their Levelling Up work by setting goals and assessing their achievements against them. Their report, published today, found the regulated betting and gaming sector exceeds in key areas, including creating high skilled jobs, providing a valuable economic footprint, and investment in the communities in which they operate.
Overall, the UK’s regulated betting and gaming sector support 119,000 jobs and generates £4.5bn in taxes for the Treasury, making a significant contribution to the national Levelling Up mission.
And BGC members are not only creating jobs, they are investing in workforces. The report highlights the pledge to create a total of 5,000 apprenticeships in the industry between now and 2025 and a further £20m on training and development programs. They are also empowering employees through diversity and inclusion initiatives, giving them the tools and confidence to develop in the workplace.
These workforces are committed to giving back to their local communities through their respective foundations, such as the Bet365 Foundation, the Entain Global Foundation or the support of Women’s Aid and mental health through the Bally’s Foundation.
Employees are also directly involved with partner charities and other organisations to help people who in their communities, especially the most vulnerable, like the Team Talk Project Kindred, supporting socially isolated men in Derby and Sky Bet’s partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. BGC Members are also helping to harness the energy transition and deliver net zero with William Hill committed to becoming carbon neutral and Gamesys signing the UN Global Compact.
At the same time, the betting and gaming industry is committed to championing safer gambling. Problem gambling rates have fallen to 0.2% and this is in no small part due to the huge efforts of countless staff who are trained to spot concerns and intervene in real time.
Lord Walney, Chair of the Purpose Business Coalition said “This analysis highlights the positive economic and social contribution made by members of the Betting and Gaming Council who are sustaining well paid high-tech jobs in several communities that are the focus of the government’s levelling up drive. The geographic spread of betting and gaming companies, their presence on most of our local high streets and the integral links the sector has with vital sporting events, give BGC members an important role to play in levelling up the UK.
“The Betting and Gaming Council is showing real leadership in supporting its members to increase this positive impact further at a crucial moment for the UK economy and the sector. I look forward to continuing to work with them as a valued member of the Purpose Coalition.”
