Global Collaboration Vital to Combat Illegal Gambling UKGC Director Says

Tim Miller, the executive director of the UK Gambling Commission, delivered a speech at the Global Gaming Expo on October 10 on the crucial need for international cooperation among gambling regulators to combat illegal gambling. 

Tim Miller, Director at the UK Gambling Commission, said: 

"The collective voice of gambling regulators across the globe pressuring big tech companies, banks, and even some other jurisdictions to address the role they play in facilitating illegal gambling will be much harder to ignore."

Miller emphasized that such collaboration in joining efforts globally would boost the collective impact and build a safer player environment by eliminating illegal gambling. Furthermore, UKGC is also finalizing several Memoranda of Understanding with US regulators to advance these efforts.

In working together, Miller indicates that this will make gambling safer, fairer, and free from criminal involvement, and this was the driving focus behind the UK's Gambling Act review white paper that was released in April this year. The white paper presented over 60 recommendations for the gaming industry, and the first round of consultations that revolve around financial risks, direct marketing, game design, age verification, and vulnerability began in July and is set to close on October 18 this year. 

Miller emphasized that the regulations significantly vary by jurisdiction, making it possible for one operator to be legal in one jurisdiction and not legal in another jurisdiction. It can be fixed by more gambling regulators working together and understanding each other's rules and standards, as the more they can share information and best practices will increase their effectiveness.

With this partnership, Miller means it would be harder for uncooperative operators to circumvent regulations. It would make it more likely they face difficult questions in their home jurisdictions if they act poorly elsewhere. 

Furthermore, through collaborations with industry tools and services to combat illegal gambling, Miller also remarked on the success it has brought the Gambling Commission in the last year. This cooperation resulted in a massive reduction in traffic to the most significant illegal gaming sites targeting the British market. Miller emphasized that joint efforts with payment providers, internet search providers, product developers, and game providers would also be substantial. 

About UK Gambling Commission

The UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) regulates most gambling types in Great Britain, including The National Lottery in the UK. It was set up under the Gambling Act 2005, regulating individuals and businesses gambling in Great Britain. They are responsible for regulating arcades, bingo, betting, casinos, gaming machine providers, gambling software providers, extern lottery managers, lottery operators, and remote gambling using British equipment. Furthermore, the regulator also licenses and provides advice and guidance to individuals and businesses that offer gambling. The UK Gambling Commission partners with licensing authorities to ensure gambling businesses are compliant. The need for regulations is crucial, working against illegal gaming and harmful gaming, creating a safer and fairer gambling environment for all players who play at gambling websites or arcades that the UKGC licenses.