BGC chief hits out at reformists in Safer Gambling Week squabble

Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) CEO Michael Dugher has hit out at gambling reformists for their views on Safer Gambling Week. The former Labour MP, writing for PoliticsHome, took the opportunity to champion the efforts of the industry during Safer Gambling Week and argued it was a “genuine and successful” scheme to engage with customers. Safer Gambling Week has often been met with mire from gambling reformists and campaigners but Dugher moved to dismiss these views. He cited an increase in 2021’s use of safer gambling tools, up 17%, following Safer Gambling Week, along with a rise in social media impressions for the campaign. Dugher said: “This week also makes a real difference [and] these numbers show the campaign isn’t a PR drive. I know there will always be some people who don’t like gambling. “But it is sad to see how some ‘campaigners’ – anti-gambling prohibitionists whose default position is just to call for things to be banned – have publicly condemned Safer Gambling Week. Even if you don’t like betting, how can anyone be against safer gambling?” he added. Dugher went on to praise the often disputed problem gambling rate in the UK of 0.2%, arguing it was the work of campaigns such as Safer Gambling Week that help drove this figure down. In his closing remarks, Dugher took aim one last time at campaigners. He remarked: “As the government seeks to finalise its package of reforms, as part of a forthcoming white paper, I accept there are different views as to what changes people would like to see for the future. “But surely. only the most ardent of anti-gambling prohibitionists are actually against safer gambling? Whatever your views, Safer Gambling Week is important and should be supported by everyone,” he concluded.