Just One in Three UK Gambling Firms Contribute to Responsible Gambling Trust

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

While they may have gathered £100,000 more than their target of £3.6 million, the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) reports that funds came from only 1,000 of the 3,200 licensed UK gambling companies with online poker and online gambling sites contributing virtually nothing to the fund.

RIGT has reported that the majority of contributions came from larger companies, including the big high street betting firms and casino operators. Smaller licensed gambling operators, including casinos, bookies, bingo halls and online poker and gambling websites, gave next to nothing.

The chairman of RIGT, John Greenway, still believes they will reach their target of £7 million in voluntary contributions by 2010. “I think we can, but I think those parts of the industry which have been most generous to us want to make sure they're not subsidizing non-payers.'

The Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster pointed out that the amount averaged at £14 per problem gambler in the UK, which was lower than the £44 in New Zealand and £40 in Canada. He told BBC Radio 5 Live that problem gambling was 'a major and growing problem.'

'It's the online gamblers on the whole who are not contributing,' said the MP. 'We've got to say once and for all, 'Here is the amount we want - £7m plus, in a couple of years'. Let's use that as the threat to the industry. Cough up double what's being paid now or else we have a compulsory levy to raise that amount of money.”

A review of the contributions by the UK Gambling Commission is currently underway and will be passed onto the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and will most likely result in a compulsory levy being introduced.

April 29th, 2008
bluffeurope.com