The results of a survey by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), a lobbying body for the industry, have been released. It shows that 80% of all bettors support betting promotions like free bets.
The survey was conducted by YouGov and was commissioned to the BGC
The trade association found that 82% of players answered affirmatively to the question “should gaming businesses be allowed to offer free bets” when they were asked. A survey found that 54% of respondents thought that banning promotions would lead bettors to black markets, which have no restrictions on them.
Michael Dugher, CEO of BGC, stated that the survey confirms what everyone who is familiar with betting knows: value offers such as small free bets are just like any other product. These value offers are subject to strict control and restrictions to protect vulnerable customers.
This survey is part of the ongoing reform of UK’s gambling laws. In the coming weeks, the government will release a White Paper that will outline the future and present a variety of policy proposals. This could include changing the laws around gambling promotions.
The lobbying organization highlighted the economic footprint that the industry in the UK had on law makers, highlighting the fact that the regulated gambling and gaming sector supports 110,000 job opportunities, generates PS7.1bn of economic activity and contributes PS4.2bn to the Treasury’s tax revenue.
The BGC referred to low problem gambling rates according to international standards. This is less than 0.3% in the previous year.
The former Labour MP said that the market for betting was highly competitive and most customers use a variety of operators. “Banning or restricting free betting would be another attack against the punter. It degrades customer experience and also hurts businesses, which in turn can lead to job losses.
“What’s more is that, as this survey shows, if promotions have been restricted or prohibited, punters will only go to the growing, unregulated, and unsafe gambling black market.
Lobbying effort
The BGC issued a warning earlier this month and published the results from a YouGov study in which bettors were asked for their opinions on regulation.
