The prestigious gambling company, Entain, owner of renowned brands such as Ladbrokes, Coral, and PartyCasino, finds itself embroiled in controversy. The company stands accused of allegedly utilizing deceptive lobbying methods in the face of impending changes to gambling laws, as reported by the Guardian.
Last month, the government disclosed its intentions to implement stricter regulations on gambling. These measures, although aimed at enhancing the safety of gamblers, could potentially impact the revenues of the betting industry. Entain, being a prominent player in the sector, might face considerable financial implications.
Publicly, Entain appeared to welcome the regulatory changes. Jette Nygaard-Andersen, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, publicly acclaimed these measures as a significant stride towards “a robust regulatory framework that is fit for the digital age.”
Hidden Opposition to Regulation Changes
However, correspondence accessed by the Guardian indicates a stark contrast to the public position taken by Entain. The company is allegedly involved in a behind-the-scenes operation attempting to dilute or even overturn the government’s new proposals.
Following the release of the proposed regulations, the Players’ Panel, an organization professing to advocate for the rights of everyday gamblers, started a campaign against these proposed reforms. Despite the fact that Entain reportedly funds and manages the Players’ Panel, the company’s association with the group was not disclosed in the circulated emails.
The Players’ Panel Campaign
The Players’ Panel urged its recipients to voice their concerns to their MPs. They provided them with letter templates for their use, some aimed at individual aspects of the proposed gambling regulations. The templates contained phrases such as “a massive infringement on my personal freedom”, pointing out the perceived unfairness of the proposed reforms. Some templates even requested MPs to stop specific propositions like tougher affordability checks and restrictions on “free” spins.
This lobbying tactic, contradicting Entain’s public support for the government’s proposals, has been severely criticized.
Response from Parliament
Parliamentary members and the public alike have expressed concerns about these tactics. Carolyn Harris, chair of the cross-party parliamentary group on gambling harm, labeled this lobbying effort as “shameful” and “dishonest”. Lady Davidson, the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, also condemned these covert lobbying efforts, stating that keeping the public and parliament in the dark about the influential gambling firm behind such lobbying efforts was “underhand” and “stinks.”
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