Tim Miller Praises Bingo Association’s Constructive Engagement with UKGC

The UK Gambling Commission’s executive director Tim Miller has praised the Bingo Association for its helpful engagement and constructive approach. Speaking at the association’s AGM on May 1, Miller said that the Bingo Association’s approach to safer gambling has been exactly what the UK needs.

The Association’s Engagement with the UKGC Has Been Practical and Constructive

During his speech, Miller addressed the UKGC’s collaborative relationship with the Bingo Association, saying that it is very important to the commission and the British consumers as a whole. He reasserted his usual stance that the gaming sector needs collaboration between stakeholders and regulators in order to achieve positive results and keep gaming safer, fairer and fraud-free.

Miller congratulated the Bingo Association for exemplifying this very mantra. He said that, unlike many other entities, the association’s engagement with the regulator has so far been very “positive, practical and constructive.”

And its this commitment to collaborative working that we want to see and are so pleased to have established with the Bingo Association. And given what we have going on at present, that is really important for both our work, your businesses and consumers.

Tim Miller, executive director, UKGC

Miller Encouraged Stakeholders to Participate in the Reform Consultations

Miller addressed the ongoing gaming reforms, saying that they remain a continuous challenge to the British gaming industry and the relationship between operators and regulators. Despite that, the commission is committed to doing things right and championing sensible reforms.

One of the current issues, according to Miller, is the consultation on gaming machines, which will determine the future industry standards. He announced that the consultation period for responses has been extended by two weeks, with June 3 as the new deadline. This will allow more interested parties to make submissions and help the UKGC achieve the right outcomes.

As per the Gambling Act white paper, the regulator remains bullish on ensuring that gambling happens safely. To that end, he encouraged industry stakeholders to send evidence-led submissions to the UKGC.

On that matter, Miller added that the Bingo Association has been incredibly committed to getting better evidence and data.

Miller Thanked the Bingo Association for Its Collaboration

Miller said that strengthening the evidence underpinning the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) remains a key priority. Since the UKGC intends to make sure the GSGB is “as strong as possible,” a big part of improving it is a constructive dialogue with stakeholders.

Miller recognized some parties’ reservations about the GSGB and praised the Bingo Association for once again providing constructive feedback where others have simply complained or demanded a return to less effective forms of research.

A separate area where Miller said his team wishes to deliver outcomes is in tackling illegal bingo. To that end, it has regularly engaged with the Bingo Association, sharing important information about unlicensed operators. Unlike the Bingo Association, however, not all industry stakeholders have matched their concerns with sufficient evidence.

Miller explained that the evidential burden courts expect from the UKGC is very high, which is why stakeholders should make sure to present sufficient evidence of illegal practice to the UKGC or their licensing authority.

Tim Miller concluded: “With the Bingo sector, I’m happy to say we’re doing just that at the moment. Let’s carry on in the way we have been. Thank you.”