Members of the BGC participate in a training day against money laundering (Photos)

 The BCG highlights that the group was established in 2016 by the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA). Now, it also has the support of the BGC, which provides the secretariat function.

We should mention that the GAMLG has been independently chaired by Keith Bristow QPM, who was previously the first Director General of the National Crime Agency, since its inception.

Although gambling is classified as low risk in the Government's National Risk Assessment, the industry is determined to improve standards and encourage best practices among its members to keep crime out of the game.

During this first training day, the focus was to share best practices and discuss topical issues for the gambling sector in the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing space.

The event was attended by over 80 members from over 30 different organizations including Entain, William Hill, Betway, Playtech, Gamesys and Genting. The purpose of the day was to encourage operators of all sizes to consider the main emerging risks, best practices and developments, reflecting the diversity of compliance functions in BGC operators.

Members heard from Senior Manager Claire Wilson of the Gaming Commission on the current regulatory landscape and lessons from enforcement cases. Also the Director General of the National Crime Agency, Graeme Biggar, speaking to the group about the current threat landscape when it comes to gambling and anti-money laundering.

Additionally, sessions on SAR best practices were held by the UK Financial Intelligence Unit, as well as a KPMG tutorial on creating a culture of compliance.

BGC members will continue to work through GAMLG to raise standards across the industry to keep crime out of the game.