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2 November 2007

UK gaming companies slow to meet RITG pledges


If UK gambling companies do not meet their pledges to donate GBP 4 million towards containing problem and underage gambling through the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, they could be faced with levies warned a top gambling executive over the weekend.

Neil Goulden, CEO of Gala Coral group told the Timesonline that the industry's failure to meet voluntary pledges will likely result in it facing a statutory government levy.

Earlier this year the gaming industry agreed to raise GBP 4 million for a charity called the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RiGT). That money was to be used to commission research into gaming, for education and treatment. So far, however, only GBP 1.7 million has been forthcoming, and the bulk of that has come from the sector’s three big players: Ladbrokes, William Hill and Gala Coral.

The three companies have agreed to put in GBP 450 000 each. Goulden, who will issue his warning at an industry conference to be held tomorrow and attended by ministers and the Gambling Commission, said: “We are over GBP 2 million short of the target that we set. This is unacceptable. There can be no room for complacency about problem gambling within the industry, and companies must now make their contribution.”

He added: “If the industry will not voluntarily fund RiGT, we should not be surprised if a statutory levy is imposed on us. That would reflect badly on us as an industry.

“It is also likely to mean that smaller companies would end up paying more.”

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