Gambling companies could be faced with a compulsory levy to help make up the required £5m-a-year needed for the Gambling Trust who tackle problem gambling.
The levy is being considered due to their "very disappointing" failure towards funding the treatment for gambling addicts the government announced the other day.
Although still under consideration, the draft proposals would see firms running betting shops, casinos, bingo halls and other gambling outlets paying a flat annual fee, although smaller bookmakers and family run business may be exempt.
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe said that the government was considering the levy due to gaming firms failure to fund treatment which is currently at the discretion of the gaming companies. The money would be used to fund helplines and treatment centres for gambling addicts, as well as to pay for research.
The governments main priority remains protecting the vulnerable people and aid them in their rehabilitation, something the gaming companies seem less intent on.
Gaming operators have already been contributing to a voluntary scheme since 2002 under an arrangement administered by the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, however companies have either been donating late in the financial year, or below the required level of funding needed.
But what about bingo? Are bingo operators responsible in their attitude towards problem gamblers?
In terms of online bingo and gaming, some operators such as Gala Bingo are actively involved in initiatives with the likes of GamCare which promotes responsible gaming, and with this Gala have implemented the ability to limit how long you can play online before being reminded of this. They also are working hard to enforce their self exclusion programme. But is this enough?
Is a total of £5m a year between the major gaming operators really that much money considering the volume and amount of money they make? What are your thoughts? Should gambling operators do more to help the vulnerable, and should bingo be included in this? What are your experiences? Post comments below if you have any thoughts on this.
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