A new trade association has been formed to represent the interests of the on-line gambling and betting industry. iGGBA, the Interactive Gambling, Gaming And Betting Association, is open to UK registered organisations who have interests in games suitable for distribution via interactive channels.
Thus far the association has five member companies comprising Gala Clubs, JPM, Next Generation Gaming, RAL Holdings and Cyberslotz. The scope for new recruits is however extremely broad and includes all manufacturers and distributors of a wide variety of games suitable for distribution via interactive channels.
The aims of iGGBA are to represent the trade, particularly in the formulation and maintenance of formal regulation, at the same time as seeking to provide reassurance to playing customers of the probity and trustworthiness of iGGBA members. A key feature of iGGBA's remit is the provision of a disputes arbitration service. Should a dispute arise between a player and an iGGBA member the association will convene a formal hearing and come to a decision binding on both parties. iGGBA will also provide advice on compliance and software homologation and, in light of the recommendations outlined in the Budd Report, serve as the industry's interface with the proposed Gambling Commission.
Nick Harding, MD of RAL Holdings and a prime mover in the formation of iGGBA, believes that the on-line gaming industry demands strong representation: "We need to clearly define the unique characteristics of UK based operators, particularly in relation to probity," he said. "The global i-Gaming sector is growing exponentially and it is vital that we establish an appropriate framework for the UK industry."
Following the publication of Sir Alan Budd's review of gambling, iGGBA will be seeking to make an early presentation to the British government's Department of Culture Media and Sport.
Nick Harding can be contacted via
Nharding@ral.ltd.uk. The association's web address can be found at
http://iggba.org.uk.
