Representatives from the regulated betting and gaming sector gathered in London for the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) Conference, where operators, regulators, government bodies and law enforcement agencies discussed efforts to combat money laundering, fraud and terrorist financing.
Hosted by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) and supported by GAMLG, the event brought together stakeholders from across the industry to share information on emerging risks, regulatory developments and compliance practices.
GAMLG is independently chaired by former National Crime Agency Director General Keith Bristow and provides a forum for operators to exchange information on anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) measures while promoting cooperation across the sector.
This year’s conference featured speakers from the Gambling Commission, the Home Office, the National Crime Agency, HM Treasury and CIFAS, alongside compliance specialists and industry representatives.
Sessions covered topics including financial crime risks, Gambling Commission compliance assessments, developments in the illegal gambling market and the evolving regulatory environment facing licensed operators.
Delegates also examined the challenges posed by unlicensed gambling businesses, including the absence of AML controls, age verification requirements and other consumer protection measures that apply within the regulated market.
According to the organisers, GAMLG aims to facilitate intelligence sharing and the exchange of best practices between operators, regulators and enforcement agencies to strengthen the sector’s response to money laundering, terrorist financing and related financial crime risks.
The BGC, which represents a significant proportion of the UK’s regulated betting and gaming industry, said the conference forms part of ongoing efforts to support compliance standards and cooperation across the sector.
Opening the conference, Keith Bristow KPM, Chair of GAMLG, said: “What makes GAMLG valuable is the willingness across this industry to share intelligence, share good practice and improve standards collectively to keep crime out of gambling.
“Illegal gambling operators do not have safeguards in place to protect consumers – they have no age checks, no safer gambling protections and no anti-money laundering controls, creating an attractive low risk/high reward environment for criminals.
“As the regulated sector continues to strengthen its compliance measures, we must ensure consumers remain within the regulated market, because if consumers migrate elsewhere, the illegal market grows.
“Keeping crime out of gambling requires constant cooperation between industry, regulators, Government and law enforcement, and today’s conference demonstrates the strength of that partnership.”
Alex Roberts, Director of Policy at the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Raising standards is at the heart of the BGC’s work, and the annual GAMLG Conference provides an invaluable opportunity for operators, regulators, Government and law enforcement to share expertise and work together to tackle financial crime.
“The commitment shown by delegates reflects the sector’s determination to keep crime out of gambling and support a safe, well-regulated market for customers.”
