## Standing Tall: The Sector Needs to Rethink Its Communication – iGB
The “Standing Tall” conference, organized by Clear and Concise Media, brought together industry leaders to address the intense scrutiny and regulatory review emerging from specific circles. The main takeaway was the necessity for a fresh, more optimistic narrative.
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Standing Tall: The Sector Needs to Rethink Its Communication
Following a year of pandemic-related closures, the “Standing Tall” conference returned, with the future of the UK gambling sector facing considerable uncertainty. The key takeaway was that the sector needs to invest in its communication, stop being apologetic, and highlight its achievements.
A small but vocal group of lawmakers are advocating for a significant overhaul of regulations, a group of committed activists are taking the fight beyond Parliament, and media outlets on both sides of the political divide are supporting this push.
Therefore, when the keynote speaker, John O’Reilly, CEO of Rank Group, took the stage and declared that this wasn’t a discussion involving the public, it came as a surprise to many. He stated that politicians don’t view gambling reform as a winning strategy for gaining votes, and the majority of lawmakers don’t have strong opinions about the sector.
That said, O’Reilly believes that the review is “long overdue.” There are valid concerns that need to be addressed, and some regulations are outdated.
Although he conceded that he opposed certain provisions in the 2005 Gaming Act, like the removal of all constraints on gambling promotion, he acknowledged that the legislation had undergone significant modifications in recent times, despite challenging circumstances. He attributed this progress to the efforts of regulators, highlighting the Gambling Commission’s focus on bolstering controls.
He argued that the rise of B3 machines would result in a concentration of betting establishments on main thoroughfares. He also pointed out that casino regulations were largely neglected, with the industry’s primary rules dating back to the 1960s. He further contended that the assertion that the 2005 Act was “analogue legislation in a digital age” was inaccurate.
He observed that operators had integrated safer gambling practices into their strategies. However, despite these positive developments, the harsh rhetoric and language directed at the industry “clearly didn’t align with the data.” He noted that media coverage often portrayed problem gambling rates as escalating, while recent Commission data indicated a decline.
He highlighted the criticism directed at William Hill for offering sausage and egg muffins, which The Guardian condemned as a sinister scheme to keep customers in betting shops for longer. “I don’t know about you, but I can consume a sausage and egg muffin in 45 seconds.”
The Fourth Clause Moment
In the end, he hopes the evaluation won’t “regress” and give the sector and the governing body a respite from the volatility of recent times. “It’s vital for the sector and authorities to get a five to ten year pause to refocus on their goal of providing amusement,” he stated.
Nevertheless, subsequent focus groups conducted by YouGov indicate the public’s perspective on the sector isn’t hopeful. Oliver Roy, global head of YouGov’s leisure and entertainment division, highlighted that this isn’t a novel situation. Even a decade ago, or even two decades ago, survey results might have been comparable.
The group concurred that the sector needs more positive communication. There’s been excessive apologizing and insufficient discussion of the positive alterations that have been implemented in recent years.
Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications believes the sector needs a “Clause Four moment,” akin to when Labour amended its constitution to remove its commitment to public ownership of industry. Wright emphasized that this wasn’t perceived as a pressing matter at the time of its announcement, but it marked a clear break from the past and demonstrated the party was evolving.
She stated she and her fellow group members recognize that precisely what this is, remains uncertain.
**Regulatory Shortcoming**
The situation is aggravated by the inconsistent pace of reform from the sector and the Gambling Commission. The group members agreed that this has led to an increasingly antagonistic atmosphere between operators and regulators.
Kirsty Caldwell, a representative from Betsmart Consulting, asserted that the betting industry’s inability to openly acknowledge its difficulties is partly responsible for the current predicament. She highlighted the Information Commissioner’s Office’s guarded backing for establishing a unified customer perspective, stating that while this is the ultimate objective, further investigation into its legal practicability is required.
The Gambling Commission welcomed the announcement, but the industry did not underscore the potential hurdles. In conclusion, Charles Cohen, representing the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, remarked, “The industry cannot defend itself.”
Stephen Ketteley, affiliated with Wiggin, stated that operators and providers need to educate regulatory bodies and policymakers about the inner workings of their businesses. The Commission should also play a part in supporting education and training, particularly in best practices. At present, shortcomings are publicly identified, but achievements are rarely publicized. Caldwell added that this has fostered a “climate of apprehension” between operators and regulators.
Ketteley added that the best the industry can hope for is that its detractors are accurate, as it will not receive positive feedback regardless of the steps it takes to enhance its operations.
The day concluded with a discourse on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).
A number of individuals express concern that ESG standards could restrict capital market investments in the sector. However, the group highlighted that being labeled as a “sinful industry” doesn’t always negatively impact a company’s ESG standing. British American Tobacco frequently achieves high rankings in ESG indices, while energy giants like Shell and BP also feature prominently on these lists.
Group members acknowledged that these indices are still in their nascent stages, making it challenging to assess the accuracy of the ratings. They asserted that the rating agencies are overly fragmented, hindering the formation of a clear understanding of which companies exhibit the highest levels of social responsibility.
In the end, reputation is paramount. The central message is that the gambling industry has been striving to enhance its standards at a rapid pace but faces difficulties in effectively communicating these advancements. As one representative forcefully articulated in their address, “Why are we constantly seeking forgiveness?”
In an age where key responsible gambling messages have transitioned from “When the fun stops, stop” to “Take time to think,” the broader shift in messaging is long overdue.
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