Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Betting and Gaming Industry and Racing: Economic Contribution

Thursday 7 July 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The gambling industry contributed 8.3 billion to the UK economy in 2019.
  • The sector employs approximately 98,000 people and pays 2 billion annually in gambling duties.
  • Racing has direct revenues in excess of 1.47 billion.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Spellar Lab
Economy Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question is prompted by a need to assess the economic impact of the gambling sector in recent years, particularly after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question

What recent estimate she has made of the economic contribution that (a) the betting and gaming industry and (b) racing make to the economy. In 2019, the last full year unaffected by the pandemic, the gambling sector was noted to have significant contributions.

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

In 2019, the gambling industry contributed £8.3 billion to the economy, or 0.4% of gross value added. The sector employs approximately 98,000 people and pays £2 billion a year in gambling duties. According to the British Horseracing Authority, racing has direct revenues in excess of £1.47 billion and makes a total annual contribution to the UK economy of over £4 billion.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 John Spellar Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question is prompted by the need to address a balanced approach towards gambling regulation, taking into account both economic and social benefits along with responsible betting.

Question

Can I urge him, in preparing the White Paper, to take a balanced view of the economic and social benefits, the considerable pleasure for millions who bet quite responsibly and the great contribution to the Exchequer, and balance that against the very vocal lobbying, particularly in some of the media, by those who basically, with gambling, are prohibitionists?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

Again, I assure the right hon. Gentleman that the gambling White Paper was comprehensive, and the response will be comprehensive. We have taken evidence and information from across the entire sector, so views such as those he has represented we are absolutely taking into account during the consideration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a balanced view in the White Paper was not directly committed to with timelines or mechanisms.

How: We Have Taken Evidence And Information From Across The Entire Sector

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email