Betting and Gaming Council

Address

Kings Building, 16 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HQ

[email protected]
https://www.bettingandgamingcouncil.com/

The Betting and Gaming Council is a standards body committed to championing safer gambling.

We represent U.K. licensed betting shops, casinos and online operators.

For more information, please visit https://www.bettingandgamingcouncil.com/

Featured

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A tax raid that Britain's high streets and leisure venues cannot afford

16 Sep Communities

Up to 16,000 jobs. Nearly 1,500 betting shops. As many as 34 casinos. That is what EY modelling suggests would be lost if ministers follow the Social Market Foundation's advice and raise Machine Games Duty to 40 per cent - and the Treasury could end up £124 million worse off for it.

Articles

The St Leger turns 250. The partnership supporting racing must be protected

Partner content

02 Sep Communities

The St Leger turns 250. The partnership supporting racing must be protected

As Parliament marks 250 years of the St Leger, Grainne Hurst of the Betting and Gaming Council and Martin Cruddace of Arena Racing Company argue that the future of British racing is closely tied to the health of the regulated betting industry, and warn that policies which weaken high street betting shops will be felt across the sport

The black market is the gambling threat Westminster can't ignore

Partner content

15 Jul Culture

The black market is the gambling threat Westminster can't ignore

The growing gambling black market is a threat policymakers can't afford to ignore, writes Gareth Snell, Labour and Co-operative MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central

Every customer lost to the illegal market should be a concern to us all

Partner content

25 Jun Culture

Every customer lost to the illegal market should be a concern to us all

Some anti-gambling campaigners would have policymakers believe concerns about the gambling black market are exaggerated. They are wrong

As the World Cup approaches, illegal gambling advertising is booming

Partner content

03 Jun Culture

As the World Cup approaches, illegal gambling advertising is booming

We’re just days away from co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa in the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Before the Gambling Commission makes any decision on FRAs, it must answer these questions

Partner content

21 May Culture

Before the Gambling Commission makes any decision on FRAs, it must answer these questions

With fundamental questions about consistency, fairness and consumer impact still unresolved, the Betting and Gaming Council's chief executive, Grainne Hurst, argues the Gambling Commission must pause its Financial Risk Assessment proposals before causing serious, irreversible harm

Gambling checks must be frictionless or they’ve gone too far

Partner content

13 May Communities

Gambling checks must be frictionless or they’ve gone too far

Louie French, Shadow Gambling Minister and Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, argues that proposed gambling affordability checks risk becoming intrusive and counterproductive, warning that unless they are truly frictionless, they could push consumers towards the unsafe black market

St Leger at 250: don’t bet against British racing

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05 May Communities

St Leger at 250: don’t bet against British racing

As Labour MP for Doncaster Central, Sally Jameson reflects on the 250th running of the St Leger in her constituency, celebrating its economic and cultural importance while warning that poorly designed Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) risk undermining British racing and the communities it supports

Illegal operators now account for almost half of all UK gambling advertising spend, with that share set to become the majority within two years

Partner content

21 Apr Culture

Illegal operators now account for almost half of all UK gambling advertising spend, with that share set to become the majority within two years

As MPs gather this week to debate gambling advertising, the real issue is not how much advertising there is, but who is behind it

What the closure of a local betting shop tells us about the pressures on our high streets

Partner content

17 Apr Communities

What the closure of a local betting shop tells us about the pressures on our high streets

Reflecting on the closure of a local betting shop, Neil Coyle, Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, explores what it reveals about national policy decisions, and warns that rising costs risk undermining high streets, local jobs, and community contributions across constituencies like his own.

The illegal gambling market: real risk, real harm

Partner content

26 Mar Culture

The illegal gambling market: real risk, real harm

The illegal gambling market was the dominant theme at this year’s Betting and Gaming Council AGM. Industry leaders warned that unlicensed operators are already attracting millions of British gamblers – and that recent tax changes risk accelerating the shift away from the regulated market

Latest press releases

28 Sep 2025

Rachel Reeves needs solutions - but hitting punters with further tax hikes won’t solve anything

28 Sep 2025

BGC strongly opposed to tax rises on regulated industry - statement

28 Sep 2025

BGC proud of members' role in hard-pressed high streets as government announces 'Pride in Place' programme

19 Aug 2025

Three-quarters of punters say betting is a distinctive part of British culture amid fresh tax threat, new poll finds

17 Aug 2025

Racing needs help from Charles Allen - but it also needs to help itself, says BGC Chair

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