UK gambling charity GambleAware released the details of donations for the 12 months ending 31 March 2022 from gambling operators licensed in the country. The charity revealed that it has received a total of £34.7 million in voluntary donations from the gambling industry over the past year.
Calling for a Mandatory Levy
GambleAware said that the figure for the year ending 31 March exceeded the total donations received in 2020/21 by £15 million, but still remained significantly short of the estimated amount that would be raised if there was a mandatory levy.
The figure remains significantly short of the estimated amount a mandatory levy would raise.
According to GambleAware, the amount of donations reflect “the uncertain and inconsistent approach to the funding of treatment, prevention, and research of gambling harms,” with the organisation calling for a mandatory funding model.
GambleAware has previously proposed imposing a minimum of 0.1% of operators’ annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY).
The “Big Four” Lead the Way
As many as 89% (£30.9 million) of the total donations came from four operators, GambleAware revealed, noting that the donations from that group of operators are reflective their previous commitment to raise the percentage of GGY they donate from 0.1% in increments to 1% by 2023/2024.
Flutter made the most donations, giving away upwards of £14 million through various verticals, followed by Ladbrokes Coral Group, Hillside ENC, and William Hill Group, each donating over £4 million.
