The American Gaming Association (AGA), the European Casino Association (ECA), and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) have signed a landmark agreement through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formally establish cooperation. This collaboration marks strategic initiatives to combat illegal gambling activities, promote responsible gambling, foster innovation, and ensure high security in the global gaming industry.
Establishing Strategic Partnerships:
This MOU represents the commitment of these leading associations to jointly address some of the most pressing challenges facing the gaming industry. AGA President and CEO Bill Miller stated in an official press release: "This collaboration is an important step in our unified efforts to promote legal gambling markets and protect global consumers." He emphasized the importance of using collective resources to expand efforts against illegal gambling activities, strengthen responsible gambling practices, and share innovative business strategies.
As part of the cooperation, a Law Enforcement Roundtable is scheduled for January 2025, aimed at convening top industry leaders, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies. The focus of this meeting will be to discuss and formulate strategies to address the impact of illegal gambling on legitimate operators, consumer safety, and the global financial system. Miller added: "Through cross-border dialogue and cooperation, AGA, ECA, and BGC are actively working to protect the integrity of the legal gambling industry and ensure its continued prosperity and expansion."
ECA Chairman Erwin van Lambaart also expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing the alliance's commitment to addressing the broad challenges facing the industry. "ECA fully supports this initiative, supporting our continued efforts to combat illegal activities within the industry, enhance security, and create an innovative environment for our members and stakeholders," van Lambaart affirmed.
Enhancing Global Gambling Standards:
BGC CEO Grainne Hurst stated that the alliance marks a new chapter aimed at creating a trustworthy, sustainable international gambling and gaming industry. "Our members are renowned for their global leadership and understand the significant benefits of cooperation. By working closely with AGA and ECA, we will significantly raise safer gambling standards and address new threats posed by unregulated gambling industries," Hurst said.
According to the MOU, the first Law Enforcement Roundtable will focus on enhancing communication across jurisdictions and developing a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal gambling. This initiative will play a key role in defining the future regulatory and operational approaches of the global gambling industry.
This newly established strategic alliance is a significant development in the global gambling industry landscape, setting a precedent for cooperation and shared goals among major gambling associations. By coordinating objectives and combining expertise, AGA, ECA, and BGC aim not only to address current industry issues but also to ensure a safe, responsible, and prosperous global gambling environment.
The Betting and Gaming Council has also launched its first "International Best Practices Guide," an essential tool for global online gaming operators and policymakers. Compiled by Alvarez and Marsal, the guide outlines the core objectives of effective regulation, from high channelization to ensuring crime-free gambling and increasing tax revenues. It provides a unique set of evidence to critically assess regulatory approaches, aimed at balancing regulation to curb the unsafe gambling black market—with the industry in the UK alone betting an annual £4.3 billion.
