The UK’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) had launched a new GBP £10 million national gambling education and support program. 

According to the BGC, the funding will allow charities GamCare and YGAM to provide an independent educational program for 120,000 11-19 year olds, and a training program for more than 100,000 professionals including teachers, youth workers, community mental health workers, police officers and community sports trusts. 

Members of the BGC, which includes major operators like Flutter Entertainment, Bet365, GVC, William Hill, Betfred, Rank Group, and many others, will provide independent funding for the initiative, which is just part of the package of safer gambling programs the council announced in November last year. 

Commenting on the initiative CEO of BGC, Michael Dugher, said:

“As the new standards body representing most of the regulated industry, the BGC is delighted to be supporting this fantastic initiative.

“Educating our young people is vital if we are to ensure they are better informed and fully aware of the potential risks.

“It’s also essential those who are teaching them are fully trained and able to look out for the tell-tale signs of any gambling-related harm and how to access help if required.”

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s fantastic to see BGC members “putting their money where their mouth is” and funding this – as we’ve argued many times here at AYO.NEWS, education is far more effective at reducing gambling harm in the long-term than draconian regulations will ever be. 

Staying with the BGC, in April the council announced that its members would be unilaterally ceasing all radio and television advertising from 7 May, for at least six weeks, due to the COVID-19 crisis. 

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