The United Kingdom gambling companies are facing serious criticism from health agencies, social welfare agencies, addiction agencies, and also consumers. They are facing these criticisms because most of the people believe that these online gambling sites put money first without considering the consequences that come with gambling. Therefore, this has prompted some large gambling companies from the UK to pledge $72.5 million to help in treating gambling addiction.
This amount will fund addiction treatments for players who are affected all through the year 2023.
How many people have gambling addiction in the U.K?
According to the Gambling Commission in the UK, over 9 million citizens engage in gambling activities. This is estimated to be around 15% of the total British population. According to statistical research, there are about 2 million people who have a gambling addiction. Thus, there are more than 140,000 people with gambling addiction. What is more shocking is the revelation that out of these gambling addicts, children between the ages of 11 and 16 years old make up 55,000 of the estimated addicted gamblers. This is what has brought out the major outcry in the country.
What has the gambling companies pledged to do?
A voluntary levy on gambling companies has already been put up by the British government. The gambling companies are required to pay this levy in addition to their taxes. In other news, there has been a pledge by the gambling companies to pay 1% of their profits that will go in funding treatment programs for addicted gamblers. This money is estimated to be about $72.5 million and $121 million annually depending on the profits these companies make.
This pledge does not come from all gambling companies; but notable gambling companies such as William Hill, Ladbrokes Coral, Sky Bet, Paddy Power Betfair and Bet365.
The outcry over gambling addiction in the U.K
Part of thereasons these gambling companies have come forward and pledged 1% of their profits towards treatment centers of gambling addiction is due to thecriticism they are facing. According to most of the social welfare programs, most of these gambling firms pay up to $2 billion a year to market their gambling firms. Before the harsh criticisms, the gambling markets had agreed to pay $6 million a year towards treating gambling addiction.
Gambling companies are blamed for the rise in gambling addiction where most welfares say they are only concerned about the profits they are making. The chief executive of the National Health Service said they were planning on taxing these companies heavily so that they could cater to rehabilitation treatments. Gambling addiction, or problem gambling, is considered a health crisis by social welfare agencies. Paddy Power holding company told them they had to change and if they did not comply they would be taxed heavily.
The U.K. government also said it would work towards curtailing sponsorship which is a big threat to gambling companies since they receive sponsorship from some of the most popular companies such as the Premier League.
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AFP
