UK gambling industry to open 15K tech jobs in next 5 years under Govt.'s program; BGC members praised for job creation
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The UK's regulated betting and gaming industry is set to generate 15,000 tech jobs in the next five yearsas a consequence of the UK's Levelling Up agenda, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) said on Monday. Additionally, the industry body announced its members have been praised for their work providing jobs, skills and investment outside London in a recently published Purpose Coalition report.
The new tech positions would add to the existing 10,000 high skilled technology jobs already employed by the online betting, gaming and bingo sector. The UK industry also further supports 30,000 posts, with industry experts predicting even more job creation outside London based on current global growth trends-
Meanwhile, the reportPurpose Coalition -a coalition made up of UK leaders and organizations including the BBC, Amazon, NHS Trusts, UK councils and universities, among others- praised the BGC and its members for their work. It highlighted the body's capability to provide jobs, skills and investment outside London.
The report underscores how BGC members are determined to play their part in helping Britain build back better from the Covid pandemic, with the majority of its work taking place outside the capital. Nearly two-thirds of posts are already based outside of London, with nearly 20,000 in the West Midlands alone. BGC members have founded tech powerhouses in places like Stoke and Leeds.
— Fit for Purpose (@Fit4_Purpose) June 6, 2022
Many of the new high-skilled roles projected to be created will be using technology to deliver on the industry’s commitment to driving up higher standards in safer gaming, particularly online, the BGC stated.
Overall, the UK’s regulated betting and gaming sector supports 119,000 jobs and generates £4.5 billion ($5.6 billion) in taxes for the Treasury, making a significant contribution to the national Levelling Up mission, according to the trade body.
And BGC members are not only creating jobs: they are also investing in workforces, a statement remarks. The new report highlights the pledge to create a total of 5,000 apprenticeships in the industry between now and 2025 and a further £20 million ($25 million) on training and development programs.
“The BGC wants to build a world-class industry that is better understood, respected and a fully engaged member of the communities in which we operate," said CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council Michael Dugher. "We are proud to work with the Purpose Coalition on the Levelling Up Goals and it is great to see how our members are providing high skilled, well-paid jobs across the retail, hospitality, and tech sectors."
BGC members pay £4.5bn in tax + support 119,000 jobs - in hospitality, tourism & entertainment through casinos & bingo; on our high streets; and in world leading British tech.
Important report by @Fit4_Purpose & announcement of 15,000 tech jobs today as part of levelling up ���� https://t.co/TEZCyOIRPU
— Michael Dugher (@MichaelDugher) June 6, 2022
To that end, the BGC remarks workforces are committed to giving back to their local communities through their respective foundations, such as the Bet365 Foundation, the Entain Global Foundation or the support of Women’s Aid and mental health through the Bally’s Foundation.
"The report has given the BGC a framework to help further deliver meaningful and measurable progress, so that we become more outward-looking and ensure our members contribute to every corner of the UK," Dugher added.
The industry body also says its members are also directly involved with partner charities and organizations to help people in their communities, such as Kindred's Team Talk Project, which supports socially isolated men in Derby. Additionally, companies are also helping to harness the energy transition, with the example of William Hill committed to becoming carbon neutral. This comes as the UK gaming industry also seeks to champion safer gambling, with the BGC stating problem gambling rates have fallen to 0.2%.
“Our members are global leaders in the betting and gaming industry, with the online betting, gaming and bingo sector now on track to deliver another 15,000 high paid, high skilled jobs," concluded Dugher. "The only thing that risks that growth will be poorly conceived regulations that hamper business and threaten jobs”, he warned, ahead of the long-delayed publication of a white paper on gambling reform.
Today we publish the @BetGameCouncil#LevellingUp Impact Report. With high-tech jobs across the country and integral links to our high streets, the council is showing real leadership in supporting its members level up the UK.
Read the full report �� https://t.co/pzMfqPR89M
— Lord Walney (@LordWalney) June 6, 2022
Jo Gideon, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, also welcomed the new report, stating it underlines "how the betting and gaming industry is leading the levelling-up agenda across the UK."
"BGC members, such as bet365 in Stoke-on-Trent, are providing high-skilled, good quality jobs that provide excellent long term career opportunities for families across the area," Gideon remarked. "As we deal with the legacy of Covid-19 and challenges such as the cost of living, the importance of responsible organisations and the role they play has never been greater.”
The sentiment was echoed by Lord Walney, Chair of the Purpose Business Coalition, who said the analysis highlights the positive economic and social contribution made by members of the BGC, who are sustaining well-paid high-tech jobs in several communities.
"The geographic spread of betting and gaming companies, their presence on most of our local high streets and the integral links the sector has with vital sporting events, give BGC members an important role to play in levelling up the UK," Walney commented. "The Betting and Gaming Council is showing real leadership in supporting its members to increase this positive impact further at a crucial moment for the UK economy and the sector."
