UKGC-licensed gambling operators must now make annual contributions to at least one of three officially mandated gambling charities.
From 1st January, all UK-licensed gambling operators must make annual contributions towards the prevention of problem gambling by financially supporting GambleAware, GamCare or the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust.
The contributions are now part of the UKGC’s licensing conditions, and will go towards research, prevention and treatment (RET) of problem gambling in the United Kingdom.
It has also been stipulated that operators must have no existing connections with the organisation they contribute towards. Also, so far at least, the UKGC has not set out a minimum contribution.
The Gambling Commission also stressed that operators are still able to donate to any other organisations, but that only contributions to the three officially-approved ones will count towards the mandatory LCCP RET contributions.
More organisations may be added to the officially approved list in the future, with the UKGC inviting others to submit their information for assessment and possible approval.