New retail gambling industry watchdog named

In extensive newspaper announcements this (Monday) morning, four major UK bookmaking groups – William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Paddy Power – named the new independent industry watchdog they have founded (see previous  reports)….after an ancient Egyptian game.

The Senet Group, which will be headed by an independent Standards Commissioner to hold the industry to account, is named after Senet, one of the oldest known games of chance popular in ancient Egypt.

The plan is for the new group to be operational by January 2015, when it will carry out bespoke independent test purchasing to ensure that the operators comply with a set of standards and rules drawn up under a voluntary code of practice by the companies themselves.

Its independent Standards Commissioner will be appointed through a transparent process run on Nolan Principles, developed by the Committee on Standards in Public Life and espousing selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The voluntary measures announced, which go beyond those required by the UK government and regulators, will apply initially only to the four founding companies, but the chief executives have invited other gambling operators to join them.

Carl Leaver, group CEO of Gala Coral said Monday: “Actions speak louder than words. That’s why the Senet Group will be given the independence, budget and purpose to hold the betting industry to account.”

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