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BGC CEO Warns of Growing Threat of Illegal Gambling Black Market

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Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst has spoken at the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training event, warning participants of the growing illegal gambling market and the dangers it poses to the regulated industry.

The annual event, first held in 2022, brings together the regulated betting and gaming sector, industry experts and leading figures from the Gambling Commission, Treasury, UK Financial Intelligence Unit and law enforcement, to understand better how the sector can meet the challenges of fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF).

Independent body GAMLG provides an important platform for the whole industry to share knowledge and raise standards in AML and CTF, and is Chaired by Keith Bristow, former Director General of the National Crime Agency.

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Over 100 guests attended the event in central London to hear from a host of keynote speakers working in collaboration with industry to keep regulated betting and gaming crime-free.

The event also heard from John Pierce, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the Gambling Commission, Claire Wilson, Illicit Finance Technical Assistance Adviser, Supervision and Preventive Measures and Hala Najjar, Policy Advisor, Economic Crime Strategy Unit at HM Treasury, John Leigh, Detective Inspector from the Regional Economic Crime Unit at West Midlands Police, plus Beth Dale and Astrid Morrison, from the UK Financial Intelligence Unit.

At the event Grainne Hurst said: “This is a shared challenge, and it requires a shared response, and GAMLG is the independent body by which we can, together, raise standards across our sector, and ensure we are fulfilling our responsibilities to keep regulated betting and gaming crime free.

“As a sector, we should lead the way in making certain our products are not hijacked and misused by those engaged in illegal activity, activity that has no place in our sector, activity which undermines our laws and our society.

“While we work hard in this space, as you will hear today, we are also acutely aware how black market gambling is already being used by those criminal elements to raise funds that support their illegal business empires. A recent study by the BGC found 1.5 million adults in Britain spend up to £4.3bn on the illegal gambling black market.

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“Even now, we are working together, in this very space, on a new AML Code, which we hope will drive up standards, while not compromising player safety.”

GAMLG Chair Keith Bristow said: “GAMLG is a vital platform to share knowledge and raise standards so the sector can remain a leader in preventing money-laundering, fraud and terrorist financing.

“The incredible turn out at this year’s training event, and the stellar line up of speakers, shows how serious this sector is about keeping regulated betting and gaming crime free, and the level of constructive collaboration it has with the regulator, Government and law enforcement.

“The professionalism and commitment of our members makes all the difference. That commitment remains strong, which is good news for the industry, its members, the police and public. Unfortunately, it’s not such good news for organised crime and fraudsters.

“Working together, I’m proud to say we are at the forefront of this work and will remain there.”

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As part of the BGC’s ongoing commitment to encourage knowledge sharing across the sector, for the first time, tickets for the training day were made available to non-BGC members.

Grainne, added: “Raising standards is part of the DNA of the BGC, and I think one of the surest demonstrations of that, is on display today. Because for the first time, we have opened up this event, now a regular annual fixture for the sector, to non-BGC members.

“This was a very deliberate decision for us, because we recognise knowledge sharing, and understanding best practice, is the key to the unified response, I am sure, we all seek when it comes to keeping regulated betting and gaming crime free.”

The post BGC CEO Warns of Growing Threat of Illegal Gambling Black Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BMM

BMM TESTLABS PROMOTES SACHA MCLAUGHLIN TO VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL QUALITY ASSURANCE

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BMM Testlabs, the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and certification services, today announced the promotion of Sacha McLaughlin to Vice President of Global Quality Assurance.

BMM’s President of Land-Based Gaming & Inspections, Kirk White, said, “Sacha has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, operational excellence, and a customer-first attitude. Her experience and passion will be critical as we continue to grow our QA services to meet the always-evolving needs of the global gaming industry.”

With over 18 years of experience in software implementation and seven years in the gaming industry, McLaughlin brings extensive knowledge of both agile and waterfall development methodologies, test planning, project management, and cross-regional team leadership. She is recognized for her ability to build and scale QA organizations that deliver quality, speed, and value to customers.

McLaughlin joined BMM in 2018 and has held roles of increasing responsibility within the Company, most recently serving as Senior Director of Quality Assurance. Throughout her tenure, she has been instrumental in expanding BMM’s QA capabilities and helping customers launch products into the global gaming market more quickly, with a focus on regulatory compliance, functionality, fairness, and security.

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The post BMM TESTLABS PROMOTES SACHA MCLAUGHLIN TO VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL QUALITY ASSURANCE appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Central Europe

Change of Chairmanship in the GGL Board of Directors as of 1 July 2025

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On the occasion of the four-year anniversary of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) on 1 July 2025, Sandro Kirchner, State Secretary in the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior, for Sport and Integration, has taken over the chairmanship of the GGL Administrative Board, succeeding Reiner Moser, Head of Office in the Ministry of the Interior, for Digitalisation and Municipalities for Baden-Württemberg.

During Reiner Moser’s term as Chairman of the Board of Directors, the GGL further established itself as a reliable institution for the supervision and monitoring of the online gambling market.

“The online gambling market has developed rapidly in recent years. The GGL has met the resulting challenges with great commitment and can already demonstrate remarkable results both in combating illegal gambling and in regulating and supervising the legal market. The exchange between the states and the GGL is always trusting and results-oriented. I would like to sincerely thank the Board of Directors and all GGL employees for this constructive cooperation over the past year,” said Head of Department Moser.

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State Secretary Kirchner takes over the chairmanship at a time when the GGL is pursuing ambitious goals, including stronger international networking, particularly to further curb the illegal gambling market.

“The consistent prosecution of illegal offerings and player protection are my highest priorities. The work of the GGL must continue to be significantly geared towards ensuring that the business model of illegal gambling is not profitable in Germany,” said Sandro Kirchner.

With regard to his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors, he added: “I look forward to continuing the successful work of everyone involved over the past four years. We will certainly continue to face many challenges. However, I believe the GGL is well positioned to achieve this.”

The Board of Directors is the supervisory and steering body of the GGL. It consists of the heads of departments or state secretaries of the ministries responsible for gaming supervision in the 16 member states. The chair of the Board of Directors rotates annually on July 1st in alphabetical order of the member states.

The post Change of Chairmanship in the GGL Board of Directors as of 1 July 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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L&GNSW Launches Compliance Campaign

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The Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) has launched a compliance campaign focusing on external gambling signage and internal gambling related signage that is visible from the outside of the premises.

Inspectors will be engaging licensees and attending venues to assess compliance.

L&GNSW will be taking escalated enforcement action against any venue found not to be complying with the requirements.

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From 1 December 2023, L&GNSW adopted a zero-tolerance enforcement approach regarding external gambling-related signage. This followed a compliance campaign which involved the removal of all external gambling related signage such as “VIP Lounge,” signage that includes dragon imagery or similar, and the removal of adopted imagery including images associated with gaming machines.

External gambling related signage at hotels and registered clubs are subjected to the requirements of sections 43 and 44 of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 NSW (the Act).

These requirements are in place to continue supporting gambling harm minimisation by reducing the visibility and promotion of gambling, particularly to vulnerable individuals and the broader community.

Venues that are not yet compliant should consult the 2023 Compliance Campaign: External gaming signage for hotels & clubs position paper or contact the Hospitality Concierge for additional information on the requirements.

L&GNSW recommends venues conduct self-audits to ensure their obligations and requirements in relation to the Act are met. A Gaming Harm Minimisation Fact sheet is also available.

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Breaches of section 43(1) and 44(1) of the Act can result in on the spot fines of $1100 per offence or a maximum fine of $11,000 per offence if prosecuted.

The post L&GNSW Launches Compliance Campaign appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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