UK operators form committee to promote responsible gambling

It’s no secret that gambling operators in the UK have been under assault by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and other forces dead set on resetting the country’s gaming culture. While their intentions are good, these do-gooders are taking a major dent out of gambling operator’s bottom lines and now they’re doing something they hope will slow the UKGC’s roll.
Late last week, a consortium of the UK’s biggest operators, including Bet365, Flutter Entertainment (aka Paddy Power Betfair), GVC Holdings, The Stars Group’s Sky Betting & Gaming and William Hill said that they will be forming an independent committee with the aim of promoting responsible gaming to their customers. To that end, they’ve pledged to contribute a combined £60 million ($72 million USD) annually to keep the committee running. They’ve also tapped an outspoken gambling critic, Tory peer Lord Chadlington, to head up the committee.
Not all operators, or their executives, are on board with the idea of pouring more money into promoting responsible gambling. Kenny Alexander, CEO of GVC Holdings, recently told the Daily Mail that there are, “far bigger social issues,” to worry about than problem gambling. He also mentioned his “biggest frustration” is the criticism his companies have received for allegedly promoting irresponsible gambling.
Alexander went on clarify saying, “There is more GVC can do but fundamentally the industry is doing well at looking after its customers, and it has certainly made great strides in the last two years.”
The combined operators are hoping to have the committee up and running by the fall. So far there are no details as to what, exactly, the committee will do to promote responsible gambling.