The British-regulated betting and gaming industry shall create 15,000 tech jobs in the next five years, according to the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
This figure comes as part of "an ambitious Levelling Up agenda benefitting the whole UK".
Even though the online betting, bingo and gaming sector already directly employs 10,000 highly skilled technology workers and supports a further 30,000 job posts, industry experts predict that job creation outside London will increase even more, based on current global growth trends for UK-based betting and gaming businesses.
It comes as members of the Betting and Gaming Council, the standards body for the regulated betting and gaming industry, have been praised for their work providing jobs, skills and investment outside the capital in a landmark report by the Purpose Coalition.
The Purpose Coalition is composed of the most innovative purpose-led leaders and organizations and members in the UK, including the BBC, Amazon, NHS Trusts, UK councils and UK universities, among others.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher 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 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. 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."
Many of the high skilled roles will be using technology to deliver on the industry's commitment to enforce higher standards in safer gaming, particularly online.
MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central Jo Gideon added, "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. 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's regulated betting and gaming sector supports 119,000 jobs and generates £4.5 billion in taxes for the Treasury, making a significant contribution to the national Levelling Up mission.
Source: https://bettingandgamingcouncil.com/news/levelling-up-the-united-kingdom
