BGC Highlights International Women’s Day with New DEI Principles for Betting and iGaming Sector
Released ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, the initiative is designed to provide a shared framework that supports inclusive employment practices, fair opportunities and respectful working environments across the sector.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has marked International Women’s Day by publishing a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Statement of Principles aimed at strengthening workplace standards across the regulated betting and iGaming industry.
Released ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, the initiative is designed to provide a shared framework that supports inclusive employment practices, fair opportunities and respectful working environments across the sector.
The BGC represents operators and companies across the regulated betting and iGaming market, spanning both online and retail operations. According to the organisation, the new DEI statement establishes a set of baseline commitments for members, encouraging companies to promote merit-based recruitment and career progression while ensuring workplaces support employee wellbeing and mental health.
The principles emphasise treating employees and industry participants with dignity and respect, while also highlighting the importance of legal compliance and responsible operational practices within a regulated gambling environment.
To support the initiative, the BGC will utilise its People’s Forum, which brings together representatives from across the industry to exchange practical experience and discuss workplace inclusion strategies. The forum is expected to act as a platform for companies to share policies, initiatives and best practice examples that support diversity and inclusion within betting and iGaming businesses.
As part of the programme, the BGC is also conducting a survey of its members to gather data on workforce diversity across the regulated sector. The organisation said the findings will help build a clearer understanding of workforce composition and identify areas where additional guidance or support may be needed.
The trade body represents companies responsible for more than 90 percent of the regulated betting and iGaming market in the United Kingdom. It noted that while many operators already have established inclusion policies in place, others are still developing formal DEI strategies.
According to the BGC, the new principles are intended to provide a common reference point for companies operating within the regulated sector while allowing individual organisations to implement policies that reflect their own structures and workforce needs.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said:
“International Women’s Day is an important moment to reflect on how we can build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive regulated betting and gaming industry.
“Our sector employs hundreds of thousands of people across shops, offices, technology hubs and customer-facing roles. We have a responsibility to ensure those workplaces are fair, respectful and safe for everyone.
“At the BGC we have strengthened our own policies, including enhanced parental leave, a menopause strategy and expanded mental health and wellbeing support, because we believe leadership means setting the standard.
“Many of our members are already demonstrating leadership in this space, and through this Statement of Principles we are setting a clear baseline for the whole industry. By working collaboratively, sharing best practice and holding ourselves to high standards, we can strengthen trust in our sector and create environments where talented people from all backgrounds can thrive.”
