Betting & Gaming Council AGM: Hurst, Dugher and Twycross address the industry

A foggy February Thursday morning in London saw professionals from across the industry descend on Westminster for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) Annual General Meeting.

After teas, coffees and pastries, the meeting is opened by an open business seminar in which delegates were welcomed to the AGM. The welcome was then followed by a morning address from John Pienaar, host at Times Radio, prior to his interview with BGC CEO Grainne Hurst.

Pienaar’s opening question inquired about Hurst and her role as the first female CEO of the BGC, a fact she is proud of, reinforcing the importance of promoting women in the sector – taking the opportunity to champion the 3,000 members of the fast-growing Global Gaming Women organisation.

She also discussed a pair of lifelong passions, the first of which she underlines as politics – overviewing her vast experience in government. She also, evidently, yields a passion for gambling and, although she jokes she has ‘no insider information on winning so don’t ask’ (!) – she highlights that working for the BGC is the perfect middle ground for those two passions.

The BGC’s priorities

– Frictionless financial stability checks

– AML and reducing the amount of information customers give while remaining effective

– Casino industry modernisation

Discussing her transistion from the ‘other side,’ Hurst reflected on her time with Entain, highlighting that working in many industry sectors during her career has taught her that there is no ‘one size fits all’ for the gambling industry. She believes what the BGC has been good at doing and will continue to do is providing a unified voice. She also underscored a need for enhanced data to dispel some inaccuracies currently present within the BGC.

White Paper

The route ahead: ‘We’re on the cusp of a period of regulatory stability.’

Hurst suspects that the end of the year will see the (vast majority) of the White Paper implemented. Pienaar enquired next about AML affordability checks, a point that is high on the list for the BGC. Hurst stated that she understands customers don’t want intrusive financial checks, but understands that some customers must be protected.

It’s all about ensuring an effective but frictionless experience in this area for the BGC, and Hurst stated that the body is working ‘very closely’ with regulators to achieve this.

Advertising

Hurst stated that there has been a raising of the bar with advertising restrictions, highlighting Euro 2024 to show a reduction in advertising exposure to younger people compared to Euro 2020.

Evidence-led policy is Hurst’s mantra at the BGC, as she states that without this, policies won’t work. One challenge Hurst highlights is a hostile media with entrenched views, often guided by ‘inaccurate data and misinformation.’ She wants to try and introduce some kind of nuance and balance to the debate – pressing that the BGC needs to have the data to counter hostile media and the arguments they present.

‘Opinions have to be based on reality and truth’

Hurst underlined the BGC’s goals for the year ahead:

– Majority completion of the White Paper

– Casino regulation and modernisation passed (hopefully by the summer)

– Delivering a frictionless affordability check

– AML code introduced by the end of Q1 this year

Next up, BGC Chair Michael Dugher’s address opened with an ironic congratulations to Pienaar for not mentioning Crystal Palace for 45 minutes, followed by a special tribute to Hurst – stating that in her first six months she is doing an outstanding job, bringing an ‘enthusiasm and expertise’ to the industry that is making a difference.

Dugher also reflected on the last five years, stating that the industry ‘came together and got its act together.’

Despite ‘enormous challenges,’ the industry is better placed to deal with the future than ever before. Dugher cited that the important issues of gambling were never raised during his seven years in Parliament – and that it is not the emergency issue that some more extreme campaigners may have people believe. Dugher has worked with a number of ministers on gambling policies and reform, stating that some people talk about gambling as if they’re an expert – despite never having placed a bet.

‘Although, as we’ve learned recently, some MPs do like to bet – including on when the next election might be!’ he quipped.

Dugher also addressed the Welsh Government’s proposal to ban Greyhound racing, citing that it is a very important part of many working-class communities – including the one in South Yorkshire where Dugher grew up, recommending that for a Labour Parliament that has never been accused of being out of touch with the working class, ‘it might not be the best idea.’

‘We want to play our part in the Government’s growth agenda’

Dugher closed with a promise that the BGC will provide cold hard data for the Ministry to use, as it advances its regulatory framework in the future. Finally, guest speaker Baroness Twycross, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Minister for Gambling and Lords Minister was welcomed by Dugher.

‘One thing you all have in common is your experience and passion for the sector’

In her speech, Baroness Twycross stated that she has seen the value the industry brings to the country, further underlining that she believes the industry can truly help with the Government’s goal of economic growth while ensuring a retained commitment to responsible gambling.

She took the opportunity to confirm that the statutory gambling levy has now been confirmed and will be implemented on 6 April. Further, she stated that the levy will mean ‘more funding certainty,’ also confirming that the £5 ($6.34) stake limit for slots will come into force on 9 April, with the £2 limit for younger persons coming in on 21 May.

Next, Baroness Twycross touched on advertising, expressing gratitude for the BGC for all its assistance in this area, expressing that she understands the importance and necessity of being able to advertise for businesses in the industry.

She also highlighted that she recognises that advertising can, for some individuals, exacerbate their exposure to harm – especially for young and vulnerable individuals.

Baroness Twycross closed by highlighting that the Gambling Commission has now renewed its focus on tackling the gambling market – stating that she wants to continue meeting with industry representatives and working closely with the industry into the future.