A new gambling association is being planned in the UK.
The two gambling associations, Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), are set to disband and be replaced by the new Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). This upcoming British operator organization will serve as a spokesperson for the industry, acting as a bridge between it, politics, and society. This marks the continued progression of reforms in the UK gambling market. Check out these details about what's happening:
Prioritizing Higher Quality Standards
The announcement of a merger between RGA and ABB could have a significant influence on the UK gambling industry: The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) will emerge from these associations by the end of this year. BGC will work to mediate between industry, politics, and society, focusing on providing a safe and entertaining gaming experience for customers. According to association representatives, the primary goal of the merger is to collectively establish higher standards to fight against all forms of gambling-related harm. This initiative aims to boost confidence in the sector among consumers.
BGC will replace the RGA—formed in 2005 through a combination of the Association of Remote Gambling Operators (ARGO) and the Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association (IGGBA)—and subsequently created ABB. RGA and ABB combined now has over 100 operators, including private bookmakers and listed groups like Paddy Power Betfair.
ABB's chairman, Paul Darling, spoke about the new gambling association. He expressed his excitement for the higher quality practices the merger would facilitate:
"I'm thrilled about the formation of the Betting and Gaming Council, giving us the means to share even higher quality practices across the industry and considerably increase our capacity to innovate for safer gambling offerings."
BGC Open to All UK License Holders
The BGC is intended to represent all gambling providers in the UK with a license. Darling anticipates that around 90 percent of these providers, excluding lottery operators, will become BGC members. All members are expected to abide by a new code of conduct to ensure consistent high-quality standards industry-wide.
Brigid Simmonds Heads BGC
The newly established Betting and Gaming Council will be led by Brigid Simmonds, who will serve both as Chair and Managing Director. Despite her background working in the entertainment field, Simmonds is no stranger to the gambling world. She's been the CEO of the British Beer & Pub Association since 2009, a member of the Sport England Lottery Panel, and a main board member of Sport England, a government group dedicated to increasing sports participation.
She's also chaired the Tourism Alliance and previously served as a trustee of the gambling charity GambleAware. In 2006, Simmonds was awarded an Officer of the British Empire for her contributions to the sports sector. Before assuming her role at the BGC, Simmonds expressed her commitment to fostering a safe gambling environment under her leadership:
"I'm excited to join the Betting and Gaming Council as its first Chair. The gambling industry has a huge impact on the leisure sector and the economy. However, there are crucial issues facing the industry, so I'll make sure establishing a safe gambling environment is a top priority."
Simmonds intends to create a world-class industry but won't restrict individual company representatives. Instead, she aims to "listen to all stakeholders" and identify effective measures to protect customers. The Bet365 CEO, John Coates, expressed his support for Simmonds' track record, stating:
"I'm confident in Brigid's abilities, as she'll drive collaboration across the industry on all safer gambling initiatives and seek to work together to tackle all the challenges we face as a sector."
Ongoing UK Market Reforms
The merger of RGA and ABB is part of the broader restructuring of the UK gambling sector. Tom Watson (Labour Party) has been a driving force behind these ongoing reforms. He advocated for the appointment of a gambling ombudsman back in June, suggesting an unbiased intermediary between the industry, the government, and consumers. This ombudsman would contribute to better regulation of the sector.
Watson also proposed the introduction of a new licensing system, requiring current operators to reapply for their licenses, which would result in stricter checks and controls. The potential connection between the BGC's formation and these reforms remains speculative. We'll keep an eye on further developments.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
