BGC: "The gaming industry will generate 15,000 technology jobs in the next five years"

The Purpose Coalition, made up of UK leaders and innovative organizations such as the BBC, Amazon, NHS Trusts, and universities, among others, has published a report setting out how BGC members are at the forefront of entertainment and technology development and are determined to play their part in helping Britain build back better from the Covid pandemic, with most of this incredible work taking place outside the capital.

It's worth noting that the Purpose Coalition helps organizations and businesses measure their Leveling Up work by setting goals and measuring their achievements against them.

In a press release, the BGC recalls that the online betting, gaming and bingo sector already directly employs 10,000 high skilled technology jobs and supports a further 30,000 posts, but industry experts predict even more job creation outside London based on current global growth trends for UK based betting and gaming businesses.

In this regard, the BGC explains that many of these highly skilled roles will use technology to meet the industry's commitment to driving higher standards in safer gaming, particularly online.

Nearly two thirds of posts are already based outside London with nearly 20,000 in the West Midlands alone. BGC members have founded tech powerhouses in places like Stoke where 4,000 people are employed and 1,700 people in Leeds, and support Britain's hard pressed high streets through modern betting shops, as well as the hospitality and tourism sector, through casinos.

Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, Michael Dugher, stated: “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.

Along the same lines, Jo Gideon, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, added: “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 organizations and the role they play has never been greater”.

Overall, the UK regulated betting and gaming sector supports 119,000 jobs and generates £4.5bn (€5.273m) in tax for the Treasury, making a significant contribution to the national Leveling Up mission.

Other aspects or actions highlighted in the report on the members of the BGC are:

• Commitment to create a total of 5,000 apprenticeships in the industry by 2025 and a further £20m in training and development programmes.
• They are empowering employees through diversity and inclusion initiatives, giving them the tools and confidence to thrive in the workplace.
• Giving back to their local communities through their respective foundations, such as the Bet365 Foundation, the Global Entain Foundation, or the support of Women's Aid and mental health through the Bally Foundation.
• Employees are also directly involved with partner charities such as Team Talk Project Kindred, which supports socially isolated men in Derby, and Sky Bet's partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.
• They are helping to harness the energy transition and achieve net zero emissions,
• Commitment to the defense of safer gaming. Problem gambling rates have fallen to 0.2% and this is largely due to the enormous efforts of countless employees who are trained to spot problems and intervene in real time.

To conclude, Lord Walney, Chair of the Purpose Business Coalition, said: “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 leveling up drive”.