Gambling affiliate trade association Responsible Affiliates in Gambling (RAiG) has confirmed that the Racing Post’s Cian Nugent will replace Clive Hawkswood as chair.
Nugent is managing director of racing for the Racing Post and has previously worked for Matchbook and Entain’s Betdaq.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I’m pleased to be able to represent our industry during the crucial next phase in the development of policy and regulation of the gambling sector.”
He added: “Our focus will be on education and lobbying and engaging constructively with the government and interested politicians. Affiliates play a key role in providing enjoyable and safe environments for consumers – facts which we want to see recognised in any new laws governing our industry.”
RAiG was established in May 2019 by the Racing Post, Oddschecker and Better Collective and had been chaired by Hawkswood since it was founded.
Prior to that he had been chief executive officer of the Remote Gambling Association for 14 years.
Explaining his departure, Hawkswood said. “Given my other commitments it was clear to me that I would not have the time to do full justice to the role once the government’s gambling review got into full swing.”
He said RAiG has a work programme in place for the next year, with the upcoming review in mind.
Alongside Nugent’s appointment, RAiG is also planning to appoint an advisory team to help with its responses to the review of the Gambling Act.
Hawkswood has previously encouraged the affiliate sector to support RAiG and take an active role in the review.
It is anticipated that affiliate practices which were not prevalent when the Act was drawn up in 2005 will come under scrutiny as the review progresses.
In June last year, RAiG led calls for an affiliate licensing regime in Great Britain. However, members felt that they needed to see more detail before getting fully behind the move.
