European gambling regulators are joining forces to standardize oversight
By Erik Gibbs / casino.org
Standardized regulations across the board would make things a lot easier for the gaming industry. While that doesn’t seem likely at various political levels around the world, gaming regulators are increasing their collaboration to facilitate change.
If gaming operators, suppliers, and developers were able to follow a single set of guidelines, they would be in a better position to help the industry thrive. This would reduce the amount of red tape they have to cut through and help regulators more swiftly ensure compliance.
For many reasons, including the absence of a standardized definition of gambling, creating unified regulations is a long way off. New partnerships between the gaming regulators of various European countries show what happens when authoritative bodies decide to come together and work toward a common goal.
France and Belgium come together
A newly signed agreement between French and Belgian gaming regulators will enable them to collaborate on their regulatory efforts by exchanging information. The aim of this partnership is to boost the gambling industry in both countries through strategic collaboration. The agreement was fully executed at the recent European Gaming Regulators Forum.
France’s gaming regulator, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ, for its French acronym), and the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) will work jointly, collecting information to produce reports together. Furthermore, they have committed to notifying one another if there are any regulatory modifications that may arise.
Currently, the exclusive collaboration contract can be found (in French only) on the BGC webpage. The said file has been signed by Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin and Magali Clavie, the respective leaders of the ANJ and BGC.
The Gambling Regulators’ European Forum recently announced the appointment of Falque-Pierrotin to serve as its chair. The organization’s primary goal is to help shape universal gaming policies across Europe and her appointment will help strengthen that commitment.
The annual conference of the Gambling Regulators’ European Forum (GREF) was held from 5 to 7 June in Bergen, Norway. More than 90 participants from around thirty regulators from all over Europe met to discuss subjects of common interest, such as player protection, the fight against illegal gambling and recent technological innovations that could have an impact on gambling.
The General Meeting elected a new Board, which is now chaired by Isabelle FALQUE-PIERROTIN, the Autorité nationale des jeux’ s chairwoman, for a 2-year term. The Board is composed of:
Anders Dorph (Spillemyndighedens – Danish regulator), Vice-Chairm;
Tim Miller (UK Gambling Commission), Treasurer;
Sarah Kelly (Alderney Gambling Control Commission), Secretary;
Magali Clavie (Commission des jeux de hasard – Belgian regulator),
Atle Hamar (Lottstift – Norwegian regulator) and
Kinga Warda (Malta Gaming Authority – Maltese regulator), Ordinary Members.
GREF aims to strengthen cooperation between regulators. In the light of new market challenges, cooperation is crucial to enable regulators to better understand trends and develop effective and legitimate solutions.
An first assessment of the new Board’s activities will be made at the next GREF Annual Conference, to be held in Malta in May 2024.
Isabelle FALQUE-PIERROTIN commented: “In this time of innovation accelerating and challenging current regulations, and of public opinion concerned about player protection, European level is crucial. We are indeed facing common questions and our exchanges are productive. I believe that in this very complicated period, regulators have a specific voice that needs to be heard, one that listens to the various stakeholders and serves to protect players“.
UK and Malta join forces
Elsewhere in the European gaming industry, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has connected with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). A statement by the MGA indicates that they’re working on collaborative efforts to enhance oversight of responsible gambling and integrity in sports.
UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes and Executive Director for Operations Kay Roberts recently visited Malta on a short trip. There, they sat down with MGA CEO Carl Brincat and Chief of Policy and International Affairs Kinga Warda to discuss their shared agenda.
The two regulators already have an established relationship which will now be reinforced by additional collaboration between their respective responsible gambling divisions. They also plan on opening wider communication channels with regard to match-fixing and anti-money laundering procedures.
The two regulators hinted at the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding at some point. This would “formalize” their relationship and lead to greater collaboration on the creation of standardized regulations.
