OPEN YOUR PURSES, WARNS GALA EXEC
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.”
Online Casino News courtesy of
InfoPowa
More news here.
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