BGC calls for continuation of “symbiotic relationship” between betting and sport
Trade body highlights financial support provided by betting operators to sports including football, horseracing, darts and snooker
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has called on the UK government to maintain the “symbiotic relationship” between betting and sport to ease the financial strain caused by Covid-19.
In a submission to the House of Commons committee reviewing the relationship between gambling operators and UK sport, the trade body highlighted the funding given by operators, particularly to clubs at lower levels, drawing attention to the recent ‘Pitching In’ campaign run by GVC.
“The sectors would not exist without the sponsorship, levies and media rights payments paid by the betting sector, and so too there would be no product to bet on,” the BGC said.
The long-awaited review of the 2005 Gambling Act is expected to kick off this month and gambling sponsorships in sport could be under the chopping block.
The BGC cited more than £200m in fees paid annually to the horseracing industry through existing betting levies and media rights deals, as well as £10m a year going to darts and snooker through sponsorships.
In addition, the standards body referenced £40m being paid to English Football League (EFL) clubs through sponsorship and grassroots funding, which would all disappear should gambling sponsorships be prohibited.
Earlier in November, EFL chairman Rick Parry claimed a blanket ban enforced overnight would be “catastrophic” for clubs.
“Some sports are living on a knife-edge because of the ongoing ban on spectators, so the funding provided by our members is even more important than usual,” BGC CEO Michael Dugher said.
“We welcome the government’s imminent gambling review, which will examine the financial relationship between sports, such as football, rugby league, horseracing, snooker and darts, and betting operators.
“The industry’s importance to these popular national pastimes shows why it’s vital that the government gets the balance right, and does not drive punters towards the illegal, online black market, which has no interest in supporting sport either at a grassroots or national level,” Dugher concluded.
To support horseracing through the second lockdown period, UK bookmakers agreed to pay additional fees on existing contracts to negate the shortfall in revenue caused by the closing of betting shops across the country throughout November.