Date: 10.10.2024

by Adam Dworak

International Gambling Groups Unite to Tackle Illegal Gambling and Strengthen Industry Standards

AGA, ECA and BGC sign MoU to address industry priorities. The agreement will focus on illegal gambling, responsible gambling, innovation and security. Joint research initiatives will also allow members from each organisation to share knowledge and work together on industry issues.

Live Dealer Games: Elevating Your Home Casino Experience

Working Together to Stop Illegal Gambling

One of the main objectives of the MoU is to combat illegal gambling which is affecting both licensed operators and consumers.

The first initiative under the agreement will be a law enforcement roundtable in January next year.

This will bring together industry leaders, regulators and law enforcement to discuss the impact of illegal gambling on legal markets and consumer safety.

Key areas of focus will be how illegal gambling undermines licensed businesses and the global financial system and how to improve cross border communication to develop a strategy against the black market.

A “Significant Step” Toward Consumer Protection

During the AGA’s Global Gaming Expo, Bill Miller, president and CEO of AGA, described the MoU as a “significant step” towards safeguarding the legal gambling industry and protecting consumers.

He emphasized the importance of sharing resources to combat illegal activities and promoting responsible gaming.

“By sharing our unique resources, we will expand our fight against illegal gambling to new fronts, work together to strengthen responsible gaming and innovate around business best practices,” Miller said.

Strengthening Player Protections and Industry Growth

ECA chairman Erwin van Lambaart also highlighted the importance of the MoU, stating that it will enhance efforts to combat illegal gambling and protect players.

He emphasized the need to create an environment that promotes both innovation and security within the gambling industry.

“The ECA fully backs this initiative and supports the ongoing efforts to rigorously combat illegality within our industry, continuously strengthen player protections and security and ensure the creation of an environment that fosters innovation and growth within the gaming community,” van Lambaart said.

A United Vision for Safer Gambling

BGC CEO Grainne Hurst called the partnership a “new chapter” in the ongoing effort to build a trusted and sustainable betting and gaming industry.

She pointed out that collaboration among the AGA, ECA, and BGC will be vital in addressing both the challenges of unregulated markets and ensuring safer gambling practices.

“BGC members are rightly proud of their reputation as global leaders and they know the power of collaboration,” Hurst said. “Working together with the AGA and ECA, I am confident our shared knowledge and expertise will be vital to bolstering safer gambling standards while tackling the threat of the growing and unsafe unregulated gambling black market in the UK.”