The incoming chief executive of Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Grainne Hurst, has pledged to use her new role to help deliver gambling reforms.
Hurst assumes the role from Michael Dugher, who will now become chairman of the BGC to replace Brigit Simmonds.
“There is a huge amount of work ahead of us, not least delivering and implementing the outstanding proposals outlined in last year’s White Paper, many of which our members called for,” said Hurst.
“That includes a statutory levy to address problem gambling and related harms, an Ombudsman for improved consumer redress, online financial risk checks carefully targeted on those at risk, new stake limits for online slots, a Sports Sponsorship Code, plus mission-critical modernisation proposals for the land-based casino sector.
“While achieving regulatory certainty after a period of so much change is top of my priority list, it is important for our industry to focus on stability, growth and diversity across the sector,” Hurst added. “That work must be underpinned by strong data and guided throughout by the voice of the everyday consumer.”
BGC chairman Michael Dugher said: “On behalf of the entire BGC membership, I’d like to warmly welcome Grainne as she officially starts as CEO. She brings years of experience and knowledge in the regulated industry, together with a bold vision and strategy to refresh and reset the organisation going forward.
“I look forward to working with Grainne in my new role as chair, and the rest of the outstanding BGC team, as we continue to represent thousands of workers and millions of customers, as well as delivering on our mission to raise standards in safer gambling”.
Hurst joins the BGC from betting and gaming operator Entain, where she most recently served as group corporate affairs director.
She also established the international arm of Global Gaming Women and continues to serve on its board of directors.