Standards body the Betting and Gaming Council – which represents betting shops, casinos and the online gaming sector - has announced its own ‘Plan For Jobs’ setting out how the regulated industry plans to support the Government’s post-Covid recovery by investing in young people across the country and providing them with the skills required for a career in the sector

The initiative, in support of the Government’s own Plan For Jobs, comes as Britain’s globally-leading tech companies running online betting, gaming and bingo, continue to grow their employment in the UK.

Under the BGC plan, its members have vowed to create a total of 5,000 apprenticeships for young people looking to work in the industry between now and 2025.

Regulated operators are also signing up to the Government’s own Kick Start scheme to provide job opportunities for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit, as well as rolling out graduate recruitment schemes, offering career paths for young people straight from university.

The announcement comes as the Government prepares to publish a White Paper on the Gambling Review it has been carrying out since last December.

This commitment from the industry follows a report earlier this year by EY which showed that BGC members support 119,000 jobs - directly employing 61,000 people and a further 58,000 in the supply chain. Nearly one-fifth of those employed in the industry are aged under 25, while more than half are under 35.

They also generate £4.5billion for the Treasury in tax and contributed £7.7bn in gross value added to the UK economy in 2019.

Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, said the Plan For Jobs showed the regulated industry was ready to go even further to help to support the UK economy’s recovery from Covid.

He said: “As the UK emerges from the pandemic, creating more good jobs and training for young people will be more important than ever before.

“The Government’s own Plan for Jobs is a fantastic opportunity to create more apprenticeships and traineeships, tackle unemployment, increase productivity plus support British business overseas through Global Britain.

“BGC members alone already supports nearly 120,000 jobs in world-leading tech through online gaming and bingo, in hospitality, tourism and entertainment through casinos, and across our hard-pressed high street jobs through modern betting shops. Our industry stands ready to play a key part in the national recovery.

“Between now and 2025, we pledge to offer a further 5,000 apprenticeships – crucial opportunities for young people to take their first step on the career ladder. Young people have been hardest hit by the pandemic – this pledge is an important step in enabling them to be a part of the wider recovery.

“The future remains highly uncertain and the impact of the pandemic will be felt for a long time to come. Betting and Gaming Council members are ready to play their part by giving young people – our country’s future – the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.”