BGC CEO Encourages Collaboration as Black Market Grows

Grainne Hurst, the chief executive officer of Britain’s Betting and Gamin Council (BGC) has spoken at the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training event, warning participants of the growing illegal gambling market and the dangers it poses to the regulated industry.

Hurst encouraged collaboration in the war on the black market, saying that it is a “shared challenge.”

The Training Event Was Open to Non-BGC Members

The third edition of the GAMLG training event brought many industry stakeholders together, providing them with a platform to discuss the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist financing (CTF) challenges faced by the sector. Hosted by GAMLG and chaired by Keith Bristow, ex-director general of the National Crime Agency, the annual meeting allowed experts to highlight various problems and challenges.  

As previously, the event was attended by gaming operators and industry experts, as well as representatives of the UKGC, Treasury, Financial Intelligence Unit and law enforcement. It took place in London and was attended by some 100 guests.

In addition to Hurst, who opened the event, participants also heard from a variety of industry and law enforcement professionals, including:

• John Pierce – director of enforcement and intelligence at the UKGC
• Claire Wilson – illicit finance technical assistant adviser for the Treasury
• Hala Najjar – policy advisor of the economic crime strategy unit at the Treasury
• John Leigh – detective inspector from the Regional Economic Crime Unit at West Midlands Police
• Beth Dale – representative of the UK Financial Intelligence Unit
• Astrid Morrison – representative of the UK Financial Intelligence Unit

The Black Market Is a “Shared Challenge”

Hurst, who opened the event, described the black market as a “shared challenge” that industry stakeholders and institutions must face together. She cited recent studies that imply that a total of 1.5 billion British adults spend up to £4.3 billion on illegal gambling a year.

The BGC CEO praised GAMLG for providing a platform allowing all parties involved to raise standards across the gaming sector and keep it crime-free.

Even now, we are working together, in this very space, on a new AML Code, which we hope will drive up standards, while not compromising player safety.

Grainne Hurst, CEO, BGC

Hurst added that raising industry standards is a core part of the BGC’s ethos. Because of that, this was the first time the GAMLG training event was open to non-BGC members. This echoed the body’s calls for collaboration, allowing it to share its knowledge and understanding with others and help it keep gaming free of the influence of unlicensed operators.

Collaboration Is “Bad News” for Fraudsters

GAMLG’s chair, Keith Bristow, commented on the importance of AML and CTF initiatives and said that he was pleased with the “stellar lineup of speakers” who emphasized the need to crack down on crime.

He said: “The professionalism and commitment of our members makes all the difference. That commitment remains strong, which is good news for the industry, its members, the police and public. Unfortunately, it’s not such good news for organized crime and fraudsters.”