BETTING AND GAMING INDUSTRY GATHERS FOR ANNUAL GAMLG CONFERENCE TO STRENGTHEN AML AND CTF STANDARDS

The regulated betting and gaming industry came together in London for the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) Conference, bringing together operators, regulators, Government representatives and law enforcement agencies to share knowledge, raise standards and strengthen the fight against money laundering, fraud and terrorist financing.

The conference is hosted by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) and supported by GAMLG, the independent cross-industry body which works to strengthen the sector's response to money laundering and terrorist financing risks.

Independently chaired by former Director General of the National Crime Agency, Keith Bristow QPM, GAMLG provides a platform for operators of all sizes to consider emerging risks, best practice and regulatory developments, while encouraging greater cooperation across the sector.

This year's conference featured speakers from the Gambling Commission, Home Office, National Crime Agency, HM Treasury and CIFAS, alongside industry experts and compliance professionals.

The programme included discussions on emerging financial crime threats, Gambling Commission compliance assessments, the illegal gambling market and the evolving regulatory landscape facing the sector.

Delegates also heard about the growing challenge posed by illegal gambling operators, which operate outside the law without anti-money laundering controls, age verification checks or safer gambling protections, creating opportunities for criminal exploitation while undermining the regulated market and diverting consumers away from licensed operators.

Opening the conference, Keith Bristow QPM, Chair of GAMLG, said:

"What makes GAMLG valuable is the willingness across this industry to share intelligence, share good practice and improve standards collectively to keep crime out of gambling.

"Illegal gambling operators do not have safeguards in place to protect consumers - they have no age checks, no safer gambling protections and no anti-money laundering controls, creating an attractive low risk/high reward environment for criminals.

"As the regulated sector continues to strengthen its compliance measures, we must ensure consumers remain within the regulated market, because if consumers migrate elsewhere, the illegal market grows.

"Keeping crime out of gambling requires constant cooperation between industry, regulators, Government and law enforcement, and today's conference demonstrates the strength of that partnership."

Alex Roberts, Director of Policy at the Betting and Gaming Council, said:

"Raising standards is at the heart of the BGC's work, and the annual GAMLG Conference provides an invaluable opportunity for operators, regulators, Government and law enforcement to share expertise and work together to tackle financial crime.

"The commitment shown by delegates reflects the sector's determination to keep crime out of gambling and support a safe, well-regulated market for customers."

GAMLG brings together operators, regulators, Government and law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, promote best practice and strengthen the industry's collective response to money laundering, terrorist financing and wider financial crime threats.

The BGC represents over 90% of the regulated betting and gaming industry in the UK, including bookmakers, casinos, bingo operators and online betting and gaming businesses.

Its members are committed to maintaining high standards of player protection, anti-money laundering controls and regulatory compliance, helping to keep crime out of gambling while supporting a safe and well-regulated sector.