Online Casino Operator Warns UK Facing Companies 

The boss of one of the world’s largest online gambling operations has warned UK gambling companies that they could be faced with levies if they do not meet their pledges to donate eight million dollars towards containing problem and underage gambling through the Responsibility In Gambling Trust (RIGT).

Neil Goulden, the Chief Executive Officer Gala Coral Group said this weekend that the British industry's failure to meet voluntary pledges will likely result in it facing a statutory Government levy.

Earlier this year, the British gaming industry agreed to raise the money for a charity, RiGT, that would use it to commission research into gaming, for education and treatment. However, so far, he stated that only $3.4 million has been forthcoming with the bulk of that coming from the sector’s three largest companies, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Gala Coral.

“We are over four million dollars short of the target that we set,” said Goulden. “This is unacceptable. There can be no room for complacency about problem gambling within the industry and companies must now make their contribution. If the industry will not voluntarily fund RIGT, we should not be surprised if a statutory levy is imposed on us. That would reflect badly on us as an industry. It is also likely to mean that smaller companies would end up paying more.”