GBG: “The industry needs to ensure that policy decisions are made against the backdrop of facts, not prejudice”

UK cross-sector strategic body Gambling Business Group (GBG) is poised to stage the second edition of its High Street Hub at the upcoming ICE 2024 gaming expo. Dedicated to licensed street gaming, the High Street Hub will act as a platform for visitors to network with colleagues from the land-based sector and engage with the policy debate set against the backdrop of the UK government’s White Paper on Gambling Reform.

GBG has been playing a pivotal role in shaping the White Paper, contributing industry insights and perspectives to inform comprehensive regulatory changes. In an exclusive interview with Yogonet, Charlotte Meller, General Manager of GBG, delves into the organization's efforts in driving gambling reform, dispelling misinformation surrounding the industry, and outlining initiatives focused on responsible gambling and beyond.

Based on the feedback you've received from the members that form the GBG, and the group's work with regulators and authorities, what is your assessment of the closing year?

If you are involved in the UK gambling sector, 2023 will be remembered as the year that the government finally published its White Paper on gambling reform. Gambling Business Group members played a pivotal role in helping to shape the contents of the White Paper. It was gratifying that virtually all of our recommendations in relation to the land-based sector were included in the proposed reforms and we have been working alongside our members to provide empirical-based evidence throughout the consultation process.

We are now focussed on the timetable for the implementation of the reforms and we hope that the government will abide by its stated objective of implementing the key recommendations by the summer. Whilst national developments are key, there is a lot of work to be done with Local Authorities (LAs). The GBG has had a sharp focus on working with local regulators and we have made some very valuable progress working in partnership with the Institute of Licensing.

Our focus is to help meet the business objectives of our members and I know they are pleased with the progress that we have made and recognize the benefits and importance of having a positive and progressive working relationship with local regulators.

Another area in which GBG has led the way is in addressing the false and often poisonous narrative surrounding gambling. The arguments which dominate the airwaves are frequently based on 'false facts' or disinformation. We have been fastidious in our fact-checking and seeking formal retractions where the information quoted is shown to be incorrect. The industry needs to ensure that policy decisions are made against the backdrop of facts, not prejudice. Our members value this aspect of our work.

Which do you anticipate will be the main issues and challenges driving the 2024 agenda? 

In terms of challenges, a lot depends on the details of the current raft of White Paper consultations, how many of them are implemented prior to a General Election, and what a new government will do with the proposals that haven't been progressed or implemented.

In terms of specifics, I think the key challenges will be around the implementation of the Statutory Levy and the introduction of a Gambling Ombudsman. There's no doubt that some of the White Paper proposals will result in additional costs for license holders who are already battling the broader economic situation. As a result, I think there is likely to be a further reduction in the number of high-street gambling businesses.

The GBG has recently outlined a timetabled programme of land-based gaming expert insights, to be delivered from the GBG Hub at February's edition of ICE. What can you tell us about how this program was curated and the opportunities it will offer to attendees?

The Gambling Business Group High Street Hub which we launched at ICE 2023 was a really positive initiative and one which was extremely well received by land-based low-stake low-prize gambling operators. I think having a focus on the street sector underlined the totality of the ICE experience and provided another important reason to attend the show.

As with everything, there's always room for improvement and we conducted a debrief with our members to identify what went well, where we could have done better, and what we could add to the Hub. The program of gaming expert insights that GBG Hub visitors will experience at ICE 2024 came out of that process.

Our aim is to make the program of presentations more fluid and intimate by having a number of experts on hand for visitors to speak to on a 1-2-1 basis over the first two days. Our partners at the Institute of Licensing were particularly keen to get Local Authority officers to ICE and we are delighted to have a joint bespoke morning on the Thursday for licensing officers.

Education and improving awareness levels are key and I am looking forward to being able to explain to licensing officers what the industry is all about and the technologies that are being deployed particularly in relation to age verification. To be able to do this against the backdrop of what is the biggest, the most international and the most complete gambling exhibition in the world is invaluable. 

Where will the GBG's focus be in 2024 and how will the body support the gambling industry and its members in their endeavours next year? Are there any specific goals the association is trying to accomplish in 2024 and beyond? 

Our overarching strategy is to continue to place the consumer at the heart of everything that we do which means looking beyond the requirements of the Gambling Act to keep consumers safe. 

There is a wide range of corporate social responsibility initiatives that we will be looking to our members to embrace as part of the GBG's Responsible Gambling Charter, and in turn, we hope that helps improve the reputation of gambling premises on the high street. We also want to improve the industry's relationship with Local Regulators which will be driven by improved communications and improved awareness.