Gambling associations moot federation to boost lobbying

Trade associations across the gaming industry are looking at setting up a cross-industry federation to boost lobbying efforts.

Representatives from bingo, horseracing, casinos, betting shop industry and pools companies are due to meet this month to discuss the viability of the scheme.

The rationale behind the federation is to give the industry a more powerful voice in Whitehall on common areas of interest. These include further deregulation of advertising, the principles of a new gaming act (MW July 24 1997), and the age limit for gambling across all areas – including the National Lottery.

“We would undoubtedly have a stronger voice as a federation and the Government would prefer to deal with one organisation rather than several,” says one industry source.

“At the meeting, I’d like to see which areas we can go forward on together. I’m keeping an open mind,” says Tom Kelly, director general of the Betting Office Licensees Association.

The industry forum discussion group on gaming is to submit a document to the Government on January 20. The report details the combined size and value of all gaming industries, levels of employment and their tax contributions.

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