Self-policing entity founded in 2014
Gala Leisure and Gala Interactive are the first bingo companies to join UK gaming watchdog the Senet Group. The industry overseer was founded in 2014 by a coalition of leading gaming companies including William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Paddy Power. Members agree to limit advertising on television—including a ban on sign-up offers before 9 p.m.—as well as in betting shops, and dedicate 20 percent of shop window advertising to responsible gaming messages.
Simon Wykes, chief executive of Gala Leisure, said, “Bingo is recognized as being a community-based activity at the softest edge of gaming. As such, we place great importance on responsible gambling and can see the merits in working together as an industry rather than just as a sector within it.”
Gambling Commission Chief Executive Sarah Harrison responded to the news by saying, “We welcome the further broadening of the Senet Group’s base and look to the group, and all industry leaders and representative bodies, to come together to meet the ambition of the new Responsible Gambling Strategy Board strategy and to build on the industry’s commitment to responsible gambling in Britain.”
According to Casino News Daily, the UK Gambling Commission has launched a new “responsible gambling strategy” proposed that aims to encourage responsible gaming and protect vulnerable players.
Christopher Kelly, chairman of the Responsible Gaming Strategy Board, said in a statement that progress has been made in addressing gaming-related harms, but there is work to be done that will require the “expertise, resources, and commitment” of operators, regulators and officials.
