Brigid Simmonds: Levy consultation must protect vital RET contribution third sector parties.

Brigid Simmonds (OBE), Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has urged the government to guarantee the funding of third sector organisations in its consultation of a mandatory levy on problem gambling harms.

Announced yesterday by DCMS, an eight-week consultation has been launched to gather stakeholder insights on the structure, management and oversight of a fixed levy collecting funds for problem gambling research, education and treatment (RET) disciplines.

Proposals drafted by DCMS, will see the NHS supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) serve as primary commissioner of the funding RET projects and organisations across the UK.

Headline objectives see the government target raising £100m per year from direct levy contributions set at gross gambling yield for online operators whilst betting shop and casino operators will pay less 0.4% GGY.

This afternoon, Simmonds responded to the government’s plans: “the reality is, the industry is already donating millions, supp..