Industry should set up Treatment Centres for Problem Gambling Says Flint

By Simon Wright, Last updated Feb 4, 2021

Sky Bet boss Richard Flint is of the view that the iGaming industry should establish and set up a network of gambling treatment centres, to tackle the issue of problem gambling head on.

Speaking with the BBC, Flint said that:“The industry hasn’t done enough to look after problem gamblers. We need to do more to self-regulate, and if we don’t do more there will be more regulation forced upon us.”

However, the charity Gambling with Lives, described the Sky Bet CEO’s comments as ‘insulting’. In doing so, they remarked how Flint had underplayed the damage gambling addiction can and does effect people’s lives.

Liz Ritchie who founded Gambling with Lives said: ” I feel insulted by what Mr Flint has said, it minimises the damage the industry has done to people’s lives. We have gambling companies saying they want to put money into treating gambling addiction, but they don’t want to put money into gambling prevention.”

Interestingly and as an aside, Casinomeister News reported on yesterday that GVC Holdings, who number the likes of Ladbrokes Coral among their brands, setting up an initiative to cease sponsoring football teams and advertising hoardings at football grounds. Whilst Sky Bet have no plans to cease their sponsorship of the English Football League.

Flint who departs Sky Bet next month, also told the BBC that: “In the past, the industry has perhaps encouraged people to spend beyond their means.”

In March last year Sky Bet were fined £1m by the Gambling Commission for failing to protect vulnerable customers. Furthermore, the affiliate marketing arm of Sky Bet, Affiliate Hub, closed it’s doors back in 2017.

Thus enraging thousands of their affiliate partners, who lost with a swift click of a mouse, the life time value of all previous players referred to the programme.

Simon Wright

Simon Wright has been both a player and an observer of the online casino industry for over 15 years. His knowledge of the online casino industry – to include sports is massive. Not many folks have the experience or his knowledge about online gambling. His adoration of football is also noted. He has painted his house blue (Chelsea) and annoys his neighbors with local football songs on game days.


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