The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has introduced new requirements for gambling operators, forcing them to make an annual financial contribution to the research, prevention and treatment of gambling addiction. The new rules came into force on 1 January 2020, but operators can choose from only three organizations where they can direct their contribution.
This week, the Gambling Commission, which regulates the gambling and betting sector within the UK, released the list of approved charity organizations. The organizations, which will receive the mandatory funds under the new guidelines, are GambleAware, GamCare, and YGAM (Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust). However, the Commission did not specify the amount that should be contributed, noting that only the Parliament has the right to impose a levy.
The new requirement comes after revisions were made in the Gambling Commission’s general licence conditions and associated code of practice provisions (LCCP) under the Gambling Act 2005. Starting January 1, gambling businesses will have to direct a percentage of their revenues to organizations, which provide research into the prevention or treatment of gambling-related harm, harm prevention approaches and treatment of gambling addicts.
From today (1 January 2020), operators must direct their annual financial contribution for gambling research, prevention and treatment (RET) to one or more of the organisations on the list maintained by the Commission. Read more:https://t.co/oLs27wV1v2 pic.twitter.com/EKoI1Oxprz
— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) January 1, 2020
These so-called RET contributions may come in amounts determined by the gambling operators. Operators can choose to split their financial contributions across two or three organizations, as long as the mandatory funding covers all three major areas, namely research, prevention, and treatment. Contributions must be made on an annual basis and businesses must ensure that they have no connection to the recipient organisation.
Of all three charities on the list, only GambleAware provides and supports research into problem gambling, which means that from 2020, all gambling operators in the UK will have to provide funding for the London-based organisation. GamCare, on the other hand, has been approved for prevention and treatment, while YGAM is registered for its prevention programs only.
Major Organizations Left Out from UKGC’s List
All gambling companies operating in the UK will have to comply with the new guidelines, directing some percentage of their revenues to research, prevention, and treatment of problem gambling. What was quite unexpected in the UKGC’s announcement on its official website, however, was that only three charities have been approved and will be eligible for the mandatory financial contributions.
Considering the rise of problem gambling rates in the country in the past few years, one would think that there are more than three charities dedicated to gambling addiction in the country. Of course, operators are free to donate to whichever organisation they choose but these contributions will not be counted as LCCP RET contributions.
Some charities have expressed their doubts on social media, asking why they were not on the list. One of them, the Gordon Moody Association, is a well-established, long-running charity and the only one to offer residential treatment to gambling addicts. The Commission has not clarified how it will determine the suitability of each organisation.
Why are GMA not on the list please as we submitted the required form @GamRegGB
— Gordon Moody Assoc. (@GordonMoody) January 2, 2020
We are considering an application for the New Year. The application process was only released (to us…) the week before Christmas by @GamRegGB so surprised anybody on it so quickly ?
— EPIC Risk Management (@epicpgc) January 1, 2020
Another organisation, Epic Risk Management, said it could not submit its details since they were informed of the application process the week before Christmas. This is one of the leading independent consultancies in the UK that work for minimizing gambling-related harm. The firm has also focused on educational programs for athletes.
- Author
Olivia Cole
