NEARLY three-quarters of regular punters say betting is a key part of British life – just as the Government plans a new tax hit on bookies.
A YouGov poll for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) shows 74 per cent of regular gamblers believe betting is a unique part of UK culture, underlining the role that regulated betting and gaming play in the social and economic fabric of the UK.
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But the survey comes as the Treasury looks at big changes to how online betting is taxed, raising fears that higher costs could hurt the industry and push more people to risky black market sites.
Around 1.5 million Brits already use these unregulated sites, gambling up to £4.3 billion a year without the safety rules that legal firms follow.
Meanwhile, horse racing has delayed a series of fixtures next month in protest at the proposals, without consulting BGC members, whose funding for the sport is mission critical.
Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst, said: “Punters are clear, betting is not just a leisure activity, but a valued and long-standing part of Britain’s cultural and sporting landscape. From casinos to bingo, horseracing, football, rugby league, darts, and snooker, millions of adults enjoy betting safely and responsibly each month.
“BGC members are proud to support jobs on the high street, invest in local communities and grassroots sport, and contribute billions in taxes to fund essential public services.
“However, these significant cultural and economic contributions are now at risk. Any further increase in taxation on regulated betting and gaming operators will hurt punters and drive even more towards the illegal, online black market, which pays no tax, supports no jobs, contributes nothing to British sport, and offers no safer gambling protections.
“We want to work with racing and the Government constructively to get the balance right and prevent further tax rises, which will only undermine racing’s revenues and threaten investment in the sport, already a more expensive and less profitable product for operators.
“Only balanced regulations and a stable tax regime can safeguard consumers, secure jobs, and ensure betting and gaming continues to be a responsible, growing sector, and a proud part of Britain’s cultural heritage.”
BGC members support 109,000 jobs, generate £6.8bn for the economy while raising £4bn in taxes.
They also help fund horseracing to the tune of £350m a year through sponsorship, media rights, and the Levy, while contributing £40m to the English Football League and its clubs, plus millions more for rugby league, darts, and snooker.
Each month in Britain, around 22.5 million adults have a bet, and the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – GambleAware.org
Read our guide on responsible gambling practices.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
