RGA chief takes aim at UK Gambling Commission over ICE absence
Interim head of the Remote Gambling Association Wes Himes says he “cannot collaborate with an empty chair”
The interim CEO of the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) Wes Himes has criticised the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) decision to not attend ICE this year.
Himes was speaking on the panel at Playtech’s responsible gambling briefing, where an audience member posted a question asking if the UKGC was correct to avoid the 2019 trade show.
Attendees were also invited to answer on their smart phones, and after 22 votes, the split was 50/50.
But Himes made his feelings clear when Ian Ince, head of regulatory affairs and compliance at Playtech, posed the same question.
RGA CEO Wes Himes
“I see here in this audience good regulators from other countries,” said Himes.
“We have regulators come from other countries to visit this floor and learn from innovation around responsible gambling that changes by leaps and bounds every single year.
“They are discussing with people what impact that innovation has on the industry and also on the players and external stakeholders.
“How can it be that foreign regulators can come to ICE and learn these things and we can show our knowledge to them, but our own Gambling Commission refuses to come here?
“The Gambling Commission says it wants to collaborate – but I cannot collaborate with an empty chair,” he added.
Himes was appointed interim CEO of the RGA in December 2018 following the departure of Clive Hawkswood.