Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), opened the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training event, emphasizing the importance of industry collaboration and addressing the increasing risk of the illegal gambling black market.
Held for the third consecutive year, the event brings together key figures from the regulated betting and gaming industry, including experts from the Gambling Commission, the UK Treasury, the UK Financial Intelligence Unit, and law enforcement. The gathering focused on tackling challenges in fraud prevention, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF).
GAMLG, an independent body chaired by Keith Bristow, former Director General of the National Crime Agency, provides a vital platform for industry stakeholders to share insights and improve standards in combating AML and CTF challenges.
The event, which took place in London, featured presentations from several key figures, including John Pierce, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the Gambling Commission; Claire Wilson, Illicit Finance Technical Assistance Adviser at HM Treasury; Hala Najjar, Policy Advisor for the Economic Crime Strategy Unit at HM Treasury; and John Leigh, Detective Inspector at the Regional Economic Crime Unit of West Midlands Police. Representatives from the UK Financial Intelligence Unit, Beth Dale and Astrid Morrison, also participated in the discussions.
The BGC, which represents more than 90% of the UK’s regulated betting and gaming sector, continues to play a significant role in the UK economy, contributing £6.8 billion annually and supporting over 109,000 jobs. Each month, 22.5 million people in the UK engage in various forms of betting, from lotteries to online casinos, with the majority doing so responsibly.
The BGC’s work is critical in ensuring that the sector remains free from crime and continues to operate under strict regulations designed to protect consumers and promote responsible gaming. According to the latest NHS Health Survey for England, approximately 0.4% of the adult population is considered to be problem gamblers.
Since its inception in 2016, GAMLG has been supported by the BGC and its members. For the first time, this year’s event opened up ticket availability to non-BGC members, further encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration across the wider sector.
Opening the event, Grainne Hurst, said: “This is a shared challenge, and it requires a shared response, and GAMLG is the independent body by which we can, together, raise standards across our sector, and ensure we are fulfilling our responsibilities to keep regulated betting and gaming crime free.
“As a sector, we should lead the way in making certain our products are not hijacked and misused by those engaged in illegal activity, activity that has no place in our sector, activity which undermines our laws and our society.
“While we work hard in this space, as you will hear today, we are also acutely aware how black market gambling is already being used by those criminal elements to raise funds that support their illegal business empires. A recent study by the BGC found 1.5 million adults in Britain spend up to £4.3bn on the illegal gambling black market.
“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.”
Keith Bristow GAMLG Chair, said: “GAMLG is a vital platform to share knowledge and raise standards so the sector can remain a leader in preventing money-laundering, fraud and terrorist financing.
“The incredible turn out at this year’s training event, and the stellar line up of speakers, shows how serious this sector is about keeping regulated betting and gaming crime-free, and the level of constructive collaboration it has with the regulator, Government and law enforcement.
“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 organised crime and fraudsters.
“Working together, I’m proud to say we are at the forefront of this work and will remain there.”
Grainne, added: “Raising standards is part of the DNA of the BGC, and I think one of the surest demonstrations of that, is on display today. Because for the first time, we have opened up this event, now a regular annual fixture for the sector, to non-BGC members.
“This was a very deliberate decision for us, because we recognise knowledge sharing, and understanding best practice, is the key to the unified response, I am sure, we all seek when it comes to keeping regulated betting and gaming crime free.”
