MP’s are furious at the decision made by some of the UK’s largest gambling company bosses for pulling out of a meeting scheduled for the 4th September 2019. The meeting’s agenda was to discuss risks associated with gambling online.
Invites Initially Accepted
Representatives from all leading gambling companies were invited and initially accepted the invitations. However, since, bosses of William Hill, Flutter Entertainment (Paddy Power Betfair) and GVC Holdings (Ladbrokes Coral) have all made separate excuses as to why they were unable to attend the meeting.Carolyn Harris MP is furious and has called the withdrawals “Outrageous”.“ These are men who run companies that feed addiction, amass vast profits from the vulnerable and take home huge pay packets, yet they are too afraid to appear before MP’s.” She also said these men are running scared and appear cowardly.
Work Commitments
A few days earlier Harris copied GVC Holdings Kenneth Alexander in to an email that she received from a problem gambler, claiming GVC’s Ladbrokes Coral allowed him to continue gambling after losing thousands of pounds, although it was obvious he had a gambling problem. However, this is only speculation as a GVC spokesperson said the withdrawal was due to ‘work commitments’, and he would attend a further meeting scheduled at the House Of Commons.William Hill Chairman Philip Bowcock, also withdrew his acceptance due to:“ Commitments around licensing in the UK and some shareholder meetings”Flutter Entertainment’s CEO Peter Jackson also withdrew his acceptance, a week after the other two and said this was due to “ unforeseen circumstances” and will now send an alternative in Dan Taylor, chief executive for Betfair Paddy Power European Operations.Speculation is rife amongst MP’s with the non-attendance of Key members of these gambling companies. Ian Duncan Smith said it “ speaks volumes about their complicity”, after reports their companies were allowing players to continue gambling who have gambling related problems.
Committed To Safer Gambling
All said companies have stepped up campaigns for safer gambling. GVC launched its “Changing for the Bettor” campaign and as a company are striving in driving standards upwards, in protecting customers from gambling related problems. They have also committed to increasing contributions to problem gambling treatment funding to 1% of its gross gambling yield by 2023.