SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
UK gambling standards association The Senet Group has this afternoon confirmed that it will transfer its responsibilities outright to the newly formed Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
Established in 2014, the Senet Group was initially formed by the UK’s legacy ‘Big 4’ high-street bookmakers’ Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hill and Betfred in a move to streamline industry responsibility standards.
Significant achievements saw the Senet Group launch its ‘Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme‘ (MOSES) programme back in 2015.
Furthermore, the Senet Group would develop the betting industry’s first combined safer gambling nationwide campaign ‘When the Fun Stops Stop’ – a marketing initiative still maintained by industry incumbents.
Confirming the transfer of responsibilities to the BGC, Senet Chairman Gillian Wilmot said: “The collaborative ethos at the heart of the new Betting and Gaming Council now offers the opportunity to combine resources to deliver safer gambling initiatives at scale.
“It is vital that the industry is at the core of solutions to protect its customers. Senet’s role in bringing the industry together and leading initiatives to protect its customers and secure its own sustainable future has added significant value.”
During 2019, the Senet Group participated in cross-industry collaborations, developing a new package of measures to reform industry standards in relation to growing concerns reducing gambling harms and protecting vulnerable consumers.
The Senet Group would be a key stakeholder in developing betting’s new ‘Safer Gambling Commitment’ – which saw UK operators voluntarily adopt ‘whistle to whistle’ ban on advertising during live sport.
Further ‘directives saw UK betting commit to increased funding for research, education and treatment, combined with improved operating standards on compliance and KYC.
Brigid Simmonds, Chairman of the BGC, said: “The cross-industry collaborative approach pioneered by Senet became a blueprint which made the creation of the new Betting and Gaming Council possible. I would like to thank the Senet board, headed by Gillian Wilmot, and the team led by Sarah Hanratty for their hard work, dedication and the legacy they leave through the Safer Gambling Commitments, which provide a roadmap for raising standards across our industry. We look forward to building on that work.”
Following the transfer of Senet’s responsibilities to the BGC, self-exclusion programme MOSES will continue to operate as an independent organisation.
