FreedomAtStake's Blog

Are UK gambling companies paying their dues?

By FreedomAtStake | View all Posts
Posted Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:20 AM

0 comments

Anybody who reads this blog knows where we stand on the issue of gambling.

In short, we believe that gambling, when done responsibly, can be a form of entertainment no more or less harmful than going to the pub for a few drinks or spending a wad of cash at a nice restaurant.

In this model, which we like to call Gambling 2.0, responsible people entertain themselves by risking a bit of their expendable income in the form of games or wagers. When the system works, the industry creates jobs and revenues generated from gambling goes towards positive social causes such as fighting poverty.

But the key is responsibility. If the gambling companies get greedy, then things can really go sour.

If the public gets the sense that the gambling industry is creating more problems than it is solving, by taking advantage of the weak and not giving back, then the entire model falls apart. Nothing fuels anti-gambling sentiment more than seeing unadulterated greed.

And frankly, I'm getting concerned about the lack of foresight being exhibited by some UK gambling companies.

According to this article, only 13% of UK gambling companies have paid the voluntary nominal industry levy that goes towards charity.

If that is true, it is a disgrace. A true disgrace.

While the article's author, Polly Toynbee, appears to have a prior bias against gambling in general, I have a hard time disagreeing with her rightful outrage at the situation. These gambling companies are raking in lots of revenues, and to see them not living up to their societal obligations is truly disappointing. Yes, the levy is voluntary. But so is the public's decision to license and regulate gambling. Can you see where I'm going with this?

This story comes amid the already negative public sentiment arising from the lawsuit launched against William Hill by a gambler who lost £2.1 million after he had already banned himself from their casino.

Regardless of right or wrong, these companies need to take a step back and look at how they are being viewed by the public. It is not simply a matter of profits, because they have those in spades. Sometimes they might have to take a small financial hit to avoid a serious PR backlash. They way they act can have serious longterm repercussions by raising the ire of anti-gambling evangelists against their entire industry.

Right now, these companies appear to believe they can act however they wish with no repercussions. I can not think of a better way to get your industry abolished than to keep up with that attitude.

So it is not just the right thing to do, it is smart business too.

And this matter doesn't just affect the UK, because the entire world watches how these matters play out. The UK is the current world standard for the right way to handle gambling, both online and offline. Therefore, the world needs to see the UK companies behaving in a manner that is not just responsible, but is above reproach.

There is too much at stake for them to behave like the greedy profit-driven leeches that people already suspect they are. There is too much that can be achieved when gambling is regulated and done properly for them to slip up.

So here is my message to the UK gambling industry: Nobody cares what your underlying motives are. You might be the biggest, greediest bunch of money-hungry assholes in the world, but we are willing to forget all of that as long as you simply pay your dues and at least try to publicly act in a socially responsible manner. That's all you have to do... try. Please, just do that one thing - or it can all come to an end.

Now, I'm going to end this rant in my usual way...

I wonder how Polly Toynbee would feel if all UK casinos had the kinds of controls and protections that exist in online gambling?

Report Abuse

0 comments

Profile

User:	Freedom@Stake
Joined:	July 1995
Location:	Ireland
Team:	Florida State Seminoles
Occupation:	Media

FreedomAtStake's Blog

Are UK gambling companies paying their dues?

Profile

Recent Posts

Archive

Categories

Add your response:	You must be logged in to post a comment. Please note that the blogger has the option of reviewing all comments before they are displayed to the public. Your comment may not be published immediately.