Betting & Gaming Council AGM

And read what Tim Miller of the Gambling Commission also said in his address to the AGM audience.

Read our Global Gaming Insider coverage from earlier today, reflecting on Grainne's original panel this morning!

Thanking all speakers, Hurst brings this AGM to a close. She also expresses her surprise that Karl Marx was referenced earlier!

But stay tuned for more of our analysis, as well as an interview with Hurst herself!

Hurst pays similar tribute to John O'Reilly, The Rank Group CEO who recently announced his retirement.

Chris Alfred of Entain asks Miller why black-market sites (such as Stake) are still sponsoring Premier League football clubs.

Here, Miller says the regulator is a "small organisation based in Birmingham" trying to tackle huge criminal outfits.

Government action would be needed, so Miller says he is pleased with this week's news that a taskforce has been set up in this area. Overall, a slightly defensive answer.

Crypto as a payment method for licensed operators is a key topic raised by Miller. Bally's Chairman Soo Kim recently suggested to us on the Huddle that this could help modernise the UK gambling market.

Positive first (early) steps have been made and this can help encourage users away from the black market.

This is a topic Miller is pleased to end his speech on.

Miller heaps praise on the Hippodrome's new sportsbook, joking that Simon Thomas' face is now implanted in his dreams.

Miller then encourages ideas and engagement from the industry.

Miller does, however, defend increased regulation in recent years. Compliance failures were such that it was totally necessary, in his view, to act further.

Miller does not accept that recent regulatory changes guarantee an increase in the black market.

There will not be any "weaker regulation." And yet it has to be possible to take "robust enforcement action" without discouraging innovation within the space.

In somewhat of a plea to the industry, Miller warns that the Gambling Commission is not in control of how its licence fees are set and managed.

The Commission feels it is not receiving the requisite income to ensure it can effectively carry out its duties.

An "endless treadmill of reform" will benefit no one. A period of regulatory stability should follow and can "create opportunity."

Addressing the supply side will "only get so far." Miller asks what more can be done to encourage player demand for the regulated sector.

The public will be kept informed of recruitment plans for a new CEO.

Miller highlights there is "much more" those outside the industry can do to help fight the black market.

Since his speech at ICE, Miller says he has met with Meta. It has committed to be tougher on "non-Gamstop" sites. He intends to hold the social media giant to that commitment..

A very serious and high-level panel concludes.

The BGC now puts forward it's "spot the difference" game to highlight black-market sophistication.

An interesting use of gamification.

Jon Bryan, a Global Gaming Insider contributor, asks the panel what more can be done to promote positive experiences in the industry.

Williams once again points to an anti-gambling lobby that is "allergic" to this idea. We should be "champions" of this industry rather than being "apologetic."

Zinger says Entain is trying to do more in this area, while Lea highlights that the statutory levy has not helped with perceptions in this regard.

Simon Thomas, Executive Chairman of the Hippodrome Casino, puts Ian Angus on the spot in highlighting illegal *land-based* casinos.

Angus responds without anything concrete but welcoming further collaboration.

Williams asks for an adjustment to taxing GGY rather than GGR, allowing for free bets and marketing.

Zinger claims the £26m afforded to the Gambling Commission is a "piece of sand" compared to what's needed to fight - essentially - gambling criminals (many in Russia and Georgia).

He quotes Karl Marx, who said banks control countries. The banks, Zinger says, are nowhere to be seen here. They are not held to account due to gambling being seen as a "sin tax."

Finally, he calls out Meta as a big culprit of inaction.

Next up, Williams blames "hit jobs" the regulated market has suffered in recent years. The regulated sector has not been "without fault" but he believes mainstream coverage has overly focused on "negative customer journeys." The positive ones must be considered, he proffers.

Casinos "not on Gamstop" is a growing issue, especially those targeting problem gamblers, Lea says.

He emphasises the almost-identical look and feel of black-market sites vs legal operators.

Shouldn't that put an emphasis on suppliers not to work with unlicensed sites, we ask?

Jordan Lea, CEO of Deal Me Out, fields a question we often ask at Global Gaming Insider: is it in the financial interest of big tech firms to actually stop the black market?

He references his own personal experience as a problem gambler on the black market in 2019. He says there were applications to block black-market sites as far back as 2022. This, he says, faced government apathy/opposition.

Today's Government doesn't have any idea, Lea claims, even while being "diplomatic."

Ian Angus, Director of Policy at the Gambling Commission, explores why players might choose an unlicensed site, which includes reduced checks and friction. VPN usage has increased.

Angus then discusses the £26m extra funding provided to the Gambling Commission (which is clarified will come in on 1 April).

Prosecutions will thus increase, disruption at an early stage, software will improve and research will improve, Angus pledges. Here, he says, the industry and the regulator are on the same side...

Simon Zinger, Group General Counsel and Chief Customer Care Officer, Entain, says operators have genuinely asked "how do we survive this" regarding UK taxation changes.

David Williams, Director of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, Rank Group, is asked to keep his thoughts "family friendly!" He says Rank was unprepared for a 40% RGD scenario. Resultant changes include reducing marketing, renegotiating with suppliers and... above all, job losses.

Sanger: Poland serves as an example that there is an appetite for players moving from illegal operators to a legal regulated market.

The 19% change in UK RGD will cause a significant shift (in the opposite direction).

Chris Sanger, Global Government Tax Leader, EY, says Chancellor Rachel Reeves "needed the £1bn" in revenue.

The Chancellor said she took some of that revenue from gambling and from tax evasion - and Sanger points out that that's a worrying comparison for the industry.

Opening statements.

Chris Sanger highlights that we are yet to know whether we're getting the balance right without data yet.

Jordan Lea is "very concerned" that we're not getting it right. The black market has increased from 0.5% of the market to 10-12%, according to Yield Sec data.

Ian Angus concedes the Autumn Budget has "changed the outlook" for the industry. The threat of the illegal market is higher than it previously was. The Gambling Commission has struggled to get engagement from operators - and wants more.

David Williams says there is "no balance" between the regulated and unregulated market. The black market is a "symptom of imbalance and getting it wrong."

Simon Zinger concludes that the "balance is broken." The tax changes are a catalyst for the need to take action. It is "ludicrous" to allow the current situation and an "absolute tragedy."

This next panel focuses on 'Getting the balance right - tax, regulation and the growth of the illegal market.'

Chris Sanger, Jordan Lea, Ian Angus, David Williams and Simon Zinger sit on stage.

First, a video message from Nigel Huddleston MP, who could not attend in person. He repeats the message of not "displacing" gambling via policy. It's a reality, not a theory, he emphasises.

The introductory panel discussion with BGC CEO Grainne Hurst provides an interesting overview on the lay of the land in UK gaming - although nothing revolutionary for those familiar with the landscape! 

Nevertheless, two interesting highlights from Hurst draw focus on the proliferation of crypto payouts in the black market preventing players from accessing winnings - alongside stating that she believes the industry could draw more focus on positive stories from players in the industry.

As our first panel draws to a close, our early reflections are that this introductory discussion was aimed at politicians and a live-stream audience at more of an entry-level. We expect later debates to dive further into industry-level issues and decisions.

The discussion turns to the fact that women enjoy gambling, not just a traditional male audience. On the topic, Hurst is "frustrated" by the amount of negativity facing gambling in the mainstream.

Hurst:

We've reached a tipping point, like a Jenga tower, with the regulatory burden on the licensed sector. Businesses won't invest in the UK.

 

On the Autumn Budget and the campaign the BGC led:

"Unfortunately, the Government chose not to listen."

Hurst insists "we are not calling for any lowering of standards.

"We're simply asking is existing legislation conflicting, confusing for customers and aiding the black market?

"We suspect it probably is..."

Black-market sites are claimed to accept deposits via Visa and Mastercard and impose crypto-only withdrawal options. That's certainly an interesting example and probably the best evidence so far of something a licensed operator wouldn't do.

Some of the other examples used so far will be nothing groundbreaking for those in the audience. But the crypto-only angle is definitely thought-provoking.

Educating players is suggested as a key action point.

The ease of accessing the black market is also highlighted (in a perhaps slightly scripted segment from the hosts and their questions to the CEO).

High taxes on smoking and the oil industry are served up as comparable examples, too.

BGC CEO Grainne Hurst says her first words on stage for the day.

Betting and gaming is a genuinely enjoyable experience. The vast majority do so safely and responsibly. That often gets lost and ignored by campaigners, some politicians and some parts of the media.

 

The Netherlands is highlighted as an example of over-taxation and over-regulation.

Spain and Denmark are used as examples of markets with a positive regulatory balance.

A BGC video is now being shown to illustrate the size of the black market.

The video warns of: cyber criminals, a lack of consequences and suggests over £10bn is staked on the illegal market a year (over 1.5 million people).

Baroness Twycross discusses the UK Government's taskforce to tackle the illegal market and, of course, consultations to ban unlicensed operators sponsoring British sport. Advertising from the regulated market will also be monitored, she adds. Baroness Twycross wants to work with the industry but maintain a focus on reducing harm.

Good morning readers! We're just a couple of hours away from proceedings getting underway at today's BGC AGM.

It's the first such gathering since UK gambling tax rises were announced (online casino up to 40% this April, sports betting up to 25% next April).

And, of course, it's the first AGM to be covered by a Global Gaming Insider Live Desk. We'll bring you all the key moments and more throughout the event.

Betting & Gaming Council's highly anticipated Annual General Meeting is right around the corner tomorrow - let's take a look at the AGM Agenda! 

08:30: Registration opens  

Closed business - chaired by Grainne Hurst, BGC CEO 

09:00: Executive Committee report for 2025, and Financial Statements  

09:10: Break 

Open business – chaired by Gloria de Piero and Liam Halligan 

09:20: Opening remarks – Gloria de Piero and Liam Halligan 

09:30: Keynote speech: Baroness Fiona Twycross, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, and Lords Minister) 

09:45: BGC AGM video: The Illegal Market 

09:50: In conversation: Gloria and Liam discuss the illegal market and tax with BGC CEO Grainne Hurst 

10:20: Break 

10:40: Message from Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Nigel Huddleston MP 

10:45: Panel discussion: 

Getting the balance right – tax, regulation and the growth of the illegal market 

• Chris Sanger, Global Government Tax Leader, EY 

• Ian Angus, Director of Policy, Gambling Commission 

• Simon Zinger, Group General Counsel and Chief Customer Care Officer, Entain 

• David Williams, Director of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, Rank Group 

• Jordan Lea, CEO, Deal Me Out 

11:35: Guest Speaker: Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy, Gambling Commission 

12:05: BGC CEO Grainne Hurst’s closing remarks 

12:15: Close 

**** 

Networking Lunch 

Ahead of tomorrow's AGM, watch our latest interview with BGC CEO Grainne Hurst.

During our discussion, she addresses the seismic regulatory changes recently presented to the UK industry, while also previewing the AGM itself.

We're set for an important day in UK gambling tomorrow, with all eyes on Westminster for the Betting & Gaming Council's Annual General Meeting.

Naturally, there is much on the agenda – read our dedicated preview in the latest edition of GGI Friday here.