At the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training event, Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) CEO Grainne Hurst addressed industry leaders about the rising threat of illegal gambling. She emphasized the importance of a united response to prevent financial crimes within the regulated sector.
Launched in 2022, the GAMLG event gathers professionals from the regulated betting and gaming industry, law enforcement, and government bodies. Representatives from the Gambling Commission, Treasury, UK Financial Intelligence Unit, and West Midlands Police participated, sharing insights on tackling fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF).
GAMLG operates as an independent body under the leadership of Keith Bristow, former Director General of the National Crime Agency. With over 100 attendees in London, the event featured key speakers such as John Pierce, Claire Wilson, Hala Najjar, John Leigh, Beth Dale, and Astrid Morrison, each contributing expertise on economic crime and illicit finance.
Grainne Hurst Warns of Black Market Gambling
During her speech, Grainne Hurst stressed the risks associated with illegal gambling, stating: “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.”
Hurst highlighted the findings of a recent BGC study, which revealed that 1.5 million adults in Britain collectively wager up to £4.3 billion on unregulated gambling platforms. She underscored the urgency of addressing this issue, adding:
“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.”
GAMLG Chair Keith Bristow praised the event’s impact, stating: “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.”
For the first time, BGC extended invitations to non-members, encouraging broader industry participation. Hurst explained this decision:
“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.”
By fostering collaboration and promoting best practices, GAMLG continues to play a key role in ensuring a crime-free regulated gambling industry.
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