The UK Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has officially announced that Grainne Hurst has been appointed as the CEO. Grainne Hurst, a key figure at Entain with a decade of extensive experience, is notably recognized for her role as the Director of Corporate Affairs.
Strategic Appointment in Leadership Restructuring:
The selection of Grainne Hurst as CEO is part of a broader initiative to restructure the BGC's senior leadership, a plan that began implementation following its announcement in April. According to the agency, this strategic move also led to the former CEO, Michael Dugher, taking on the role of Chairman.
Grainne is renowned for her vast experience in both physical and online gaming sectors and is acknowledged for her commitment to enhancing the representation of women in high-level industry positions. She played a significant role in establishing the international branches of Global Gaming Women, currently overseeing its branches in the UK, Europe, and Oceania.
Upon assuming her leadership role, Grainne expressed her enthusiasm for her new position: "I am thrilled to serve as the CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, a champion of numerous iconic brands in the UK and around the world."
She highlighted a significant period ahead for the BGC's diverse membership, which supports over 110,000 jobs and attracts millions in the UK to enjoy monthly gaming activities. Grainne outlined near-term goals, including implementing comprehensive measures proposed in last year's white paper, strongly supported by the committee members.
These initiatives include a series of reforms, from establishing a statutory levy to combat gambling problems to setting up ombudsmen to better provide compensation for consumers, as well as precise online financial risk assessments. Additionally, new betting limits for online slots and a code of conduct for sports sponsorship are on the agenda, along with significant updates to the physical casino industry.
According to iGaming Business, Grainne stated: "While achieving regulatory certainty after so much change is my top priority, focusing on the stability, growth, and diversity of our industry is also crucial. This work must be based on robust data and always guided by the voice of everyday consumers."
Acknowledgements and Outlook:
Grainne thanked Michael Dugher for his pivotal role in advancing BGC to its current position and expressed eagerness to collaborate in his new role as Chairman. She also thanked the BGC members for their ongoing support and is committed to advocating for the industry to make significant contributions to local and national economies through taxation and employment.
Michael Dugher warmly welcomed Grainne, praising her extensive expertise and visionary approach, capable of leading BGC forward. "I look forward to working with Grainne in my new position and with other outstanding members of the BGC team, continuing to represent thousands of workers and millions of customers, and fulfilling our mission to raise safer gambling standards," he commented.
Grainne's previous positions at Entain included leading government and public relations and the major brand transformation from GVC to Entain. She also initiated and guided Entain's globally acclaimed safer gambling program, "Changing for the Bettor."
