The gaming sector in the United Kingdom has a new strategic body with members from many aspects of the industry.
Launched in London last week, the Gambling Business Group has appointed Nick Harding, former president of the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, as its chairman. Senior gaming executive Peter Hannibal has been named the body’s chief executive officer.
“Our objective is to provide a strategic voice for gaming in the U.K. in a way in which individual trade associations are unable due to their remit, which, by definition, has to be very specific,” said Hannibal. He described the group as “complementary to trade associations.”
“One of our unique strengths is the ability to talk about all machine types, high stake and low stake gaming and across all sectors,” Hannibal continued. “We have already held some extremely useful and productive meetings with the Gambling Commission and we are committed to contributing to a more open and progressive dialogue with our regulators. The GBG membership is clear about the very real challenges which lie ahead and the need to engage with key stakeholders in a positive way.”
Among the objectives for the group are “improving the business environment for its members” and “helping to shape the political agenda and protecting the long-term future of the companies and people working within the industry. Key areas of focus are regulation and legislation, government policy and of course social responsibility.”
Gambling Business Group member companies employ in excess of 100,000 in the United Kingdom, have a combined machine estate of over 150,000 and a majority share of new machines sold in the U.K. during 2013, the company stated.
