BGC CEO Urges New UK Culture Secretary to Reject Gambling Taxes
Betting and Gaming Council CEO Michael Dugher calls on new Secretary of State for Culture, Lucy Frazer, to reject proposals for additional taxes on the gambling industry and focus on protecting consumers from harm.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has called on the new UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, Lucy Frazer, to reject any proposals for additional taxes on the gambling industry. Michael Dugher, the CEO of the BGC, has urged Frazer to prioritize the publication of the long-awaited gambling white paper as soon as possible to bring an end to uncertainty in the industry. He also stressed the importance of focusing on protecting consumers from gambling-related harm, rather than introducing new taxes on gambling businesses.
Dugher has emphasized the role of the gambling sector in supporting jobs and investment in the UK, particularly during the challenging economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. He has called for significant changes to regulations that would improve standards in safer gambling, but warned that these changes must be carefully targeted to protect vulnerable consumers and not interfere with the majority of gamblers who engage in the activity responsibly. The BGC has previously called for the creation of an ombudsman to improve consumer redress, and Dugher said that it was time for the government to publish the white paper and bring an end to the uncertainty.