MPs slam Entain for funding “dishonest” lobbying group 

Entain has come under fire from a cross-party parliamentary group on gambling harm for funding a lobby group amid the government’s review into the Gambling Act 2005.

Entain established the Players’ Panel in February 2021 as a means to provide “recreational consumers” with a platform to air their concerns around the UK gambling ecosystem.

In emails seen by The Guardian, the Players’ Panel had sent emails to subscribers asking them to write to their MPs to oppose major changes to regulation, including severe affordability measures and draconian advertising restrictions.

These recipients were given 10 letter templates, some targeted at specific parts of the white paper. 

It was claimed that the emails were sent days after the release of the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review, which some MPs said was duplicitous from the Ladbrokes parent company.

At the time of the document’s release, Entain CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen said the white paper was “an important step towards having a robust regulatory framework that is fit for the digital age and creates a level playing field for all operators”.

Upon the revelation of these emails, the chair of a cross-party parliamentary group on gambling harm, Carolyn Harris, said the lobbying efforts were “shameful”. 

Harris said: “These emails reveal their [Entain’s] true colours as they immediately try to undermine the proposals using covert and dishonest tactics.”

Lady Ruth Davidson, the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, remarked: “Of course, it’s legitimate for the public to lobby MPs on upcoming legislation.

“But for members of parliament – and members of the public – to be kept in the dark over which well-funded gambling firm is behind lobbying efforts such as template emails is pretty underhand. In fact, it stinks.”

In defence of its funding of the lobby group, Entain claimed that it was trying to give everyday punters a chance to have their voices heard and that it fully stands behind its welcoming viewpoint on the new gambling reforms. 

An Entain spokesperson said:  “The Players’ Panel was created to give a voice to the 99% of gamblers in the UK who bet enjoyably, safely and responsibly. All members of the panel are unpaid volunteers who receive absolutely no beneficial treatment from Entain of any kind.

“It is hugely important that everyday punters have an active say in the consultation process that has been launched as part of the Gambling Act review, and especially those elements of the review that could impact a recreational pastime that is enjoyed by millions of people across the country. 

“We do not see any contradiction between our welcoming of the review and our encouragement of our customers to make their voices heard in what is an important and necessary debate.”