Entain Chairman Calls for “Gold Standard” Regulation to Help Make UK the Global Leader in Responsible Gambling

Barry Gibson, the Chairman of Entain, the global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment group, today took part in a “fireside chat” at the World Regulatory Briefing (“WRB”) in London. The WRB is the flagship meeting that takes place every year at ICE VOX and brings together policymakers, regulators and the industry to debate gaming’s key regulatory, legal and compliance developments.

In a session entitled “Behind the Curtains with Entain”, Barry outlined the need for firm but fair regulation, the ‘gold standard’ being a regulator that has player safety at its core but that also takes into account the interests of – and works in proper consultation with – the broader industry. If the UK, which boasts some of the best operators on the international stage, were to adopt such an approach then it has a clear opportunity to become the global leader in responsible gambling, he said.

Alongside his comments on regulation, Barry outlined the extraordinary transformation that Entain has undergone over the last few years, and the improvement programmes that are underway in order to cement its position as a best-in-class, responsible global operator. These have included the complete overhaul of the Group’s Board and Executive Committee, a new strategy and vision underpinned by the twin pillars of growth and sustainability, a revolutionary new way of keeping customers safe – through the ARC (“Advanced Responsibility & Care”) programme – and the launch of the Entain Foundation.

Speaking at the event, Barry Gibson said, “At Entain we are strong advocates of firm but fair regulation that is rigorous, transparent and evidence-based. A good regulator is one that has player safety at its core but that also takes into account the interests of the broader industry – operators, employees, sporting bodies – working in proper consultation with the industry to create an environment that balances an open recreational market with the need to provide the highest levels of player protection. That is the gold standard we should be aspiring to. In my view, Nevada currently gets the closest.

“The UK already boasts a number of world-class betting and gaming businesses, developing and exporting home-grown expertise and tech prowess on the international stage. With gold standard regulation, Britain has the opportunity to be the global leader in responsible gambling.”