Gambling trade bodies plan to merge to create "powerful lobby group"

[The Buzz]

The Remote Gambling Association and the Association of British Bookmakers are planning to create a new trade body to lobby politicians as the prospect of tougher regulation of the industry grows, according to an article in The Guardian yesterday.

From the report:

A senior industry source confirmed the shakeup, saying: “All of the issues on responsible gambling and tax cut across the industry, so it’s time to get lined up a bit better.”

The plan comes as the industry faces the threat of new regulatory curbs following a string of scandals that have stoked public anger about the behaviour of gambling companies and their influence on policy.

The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) fought hard against plans to place new restrictions on FOBTs, only for the government to brand the machines a “social blight” and cut the maximum bet on the machines from £100 every 20 seconds to £2.

Prior to the decision, sports minister Tracey Crouch resigned in protest at what she saw as the influence of MPs with close ties to gambling lobbyists.

An anti-FOBT campaigner, Matt Zarb-Cousin, said the creation of a new trade body indicated the industry’s realisation that it had made a series of missteps. “This illustrates how discredited the ABB in particular are with policymakers and with government, given the way they handled the issue of FOBTs and their failure to acknowledge any kind of problem, which has led to resistance to any meaningful compromise.

“Ultimately, the £2 stake was enacted, their worst-case scenario, so it’s no surprise they’re looking for a new body to lead on this."

Read more here: https://www.theguardian.com/society/...oup-regulation

[Cash Bonus]

Regulation was much less strict when online gambling first started to come out and become what it is today. Lately, with all of the new regulations that have come into effect (and many more to follow I imagine) by the many regulatory bodies worldwide, it will only deter players and affiliates more and in the same way as I’m sure that most of them won’t be bothered to go through with it all.

[Pokerface]

As I have mentioned previously, as much as we don't like all these regulations they will only continue and get stricter. Those that embrace the changes with a mindset as an opportunity will succeed. Tough I know but it either look for opportunities or just roll over.