BGC Proud of Members’ Role in Hard-pressed High Streets as Government Announces “Pride in Place” Programme

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A Betting and Gaming Council statement on the “Pride in Place” programme:

“The BGC is proud of the role our members play supporting Britain’s hard-pressed high streets.

Betting shops support 46,000 jobs, contribute nearly £1 billion a year in direct tax to the Treasury and a further £60 million in business rates to local councils, while having the highest standards on player safety and age verification.

Crucially, research by ESA Retail shows that 89 per cent of betting shop customers also visit other local businesses when they go to the bookies, providing a welcome boost to high street trade.

However, since 2019 the number of betting shops has fallen by 29 per cent – over 2,300 closures in just five years, with the loss of thousands of jobs, and millions in tax revenue.

Each month, around 22.5 million people in Britain enjoy a bet – on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls, and online – and the overwhelming majority do so safely and responsibly.

The most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers.”

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