The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has provided further details on its ‘Levelling Up’ plans for the next five years, as the standards body aims to assist with the UK’s post-COVID bounceback.

Issuing an update this morning, the British betting and gaming trade association and standards body detailed that its members plan to generate 15,000 tech jobs over the next five years. 

In particular, the organisation and its member firms intend to focus on the use of technology to drive higher standards on safer gambling – especially with relation to the burgeoning online sector – as the government’s judgement on the 2005 Gambling Act review looms. 

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC, said: “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.

“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.”

The BGC announced its support for the government’s Levelling Up job creation initiative in February of this year, and has pointed to a ‘landmark report’ by its partner, the Purpose Coalition, which outlined the group’s members as being ‘at the forefront of entertainment and technology development’

“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 continued.

“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. 

“The only thing that risks that growth will be poorly conceived regulations that hamper business and threaten jobs.”

Another key area of focus for the BGC has been on job generation outside London, with ‘nearly two-thirds’ of all created positions located in areas other than the capital. 

This includes 20,000 in the West Midlands – such as ‘tech powerhouses’ in cities such as bet365 hometown Stoke-on-Trent, where 4,000 are employed  – in addition to 1,700 in Flutter Entertainment territory Leeds.

Lord Walney, Chair of the Purpose Coalition, added: “This analysis highlights the positive economic and social contribution made by members of the Betting and Gaming Council who are sustaining well paid high-tech jobs in several communities that are the focus of the government’s levelling up drive.

“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.”

Notable areas highlighted in the Purpose Coalition’s report included the betting and gaming industry’s achievements in creating high skilled jobs, provision of a ‘valuable economic footprint’ and investment in the communities in which gambling firms operate. 

Detailing progress on safer gambling in tandem with job creation, the BGC also stressed how the UK’s problem gambling rate fell last month to 0.2% according to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).

“I welcome the latest report from the Purpose Coalition which underlines how the betting and gaming industry is leading the levelling-up agenda across the UK,” said Jo Gideon, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central. 

“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. 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.”