Gibraltar association aims to increase industry influence through EGBA

The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) has entered into a partnership with the European Gaming and Betting Association in a bid to give the online gaming sector based in the British overseas territory a bigger say in industry matters.

The partnership is also designed to give European Union policy makers a chance to learn more about the industry based in Gibraltar, and was described as “an important milestone” for the GBGA and its members by the association’s chief executive Peter Howitt.

Howitt said the partnership would allow Gibraltar-based companies to have more input in the EU on key issues such as consumer protection, anti-money laundering and effective regulation.

“As well as learning more about how EU policy makers carry out their work, we hope that policy makers will gain a better understanding of online gaming, how the Gibraltar industry works, and why Gibraltar is one of the world leaders in the online gaming industry,” he added.

EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer said he was “thrilled to welcome the GBGA to the fold,” explaining that the organisations “share the vision of a strictly regulated, cross border industry with high standards and consumer protection as priorities.”

This year the GBGA has been vocal in its opposition to the introduction of a point of consumption tax in the United Kingdom, arguing that it would harm Gibraltar-based operators, which comprise 12 per cent of all employment and contribute £209.7m in income to the economy. In order to fight the introduction of a new tax regime it had hired law firm Wiggin LLP to handle the case.

Among the operators involved with the GBGA are current EGBA members Betclic, bwin.party and Digibet, alongside Betfair, Bet365, 888, Gala Coral, Gamesys, IGT, Ladbrokes, Mansion, Ongame (Amaya Gaming Group), Probability, ProSpreads, SHFL entertainment, Spielo, St Endellion, Stan James, 32Red, Tombola, Victor Chandler and William Hill.