Gala joins Senet Group

UK’s gambling independent watchdog can count Gala Leisure and Gala Interactive among its latest members.

UK.- Gala Leisure and bingo operator Gala Interactive have become part of the Senet Group, the independent body which watches over the gaming industry to advocate for responsible gambling.

The Senet Group was created by four of Great Britain’s major gambling operators: Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and William Hill, in September 2014. The creation of the watchdog followed public concern on the influence of gambling, with particular focus on gambling-related advertising. Since its foundation, a number of UK-based gambling operators have become its members and any gambling company can join, provided that it agrees to stick to the group’ rules.

Senet Group Chair Wanda Goldwag expressed after the announcement that an important milestone has been reached as more gambling sectors seem to be realising how important it is to promote responsible gambling. Furthermore, Goldwag noted that they are all extremely happy to welcome their first bingo brand and are looking forward to work with both Gala Leisure and Gala Interactive whilst more operators are willing to commit to the independent oversight the Senet Group has been providing since it was founded.

Simon Wykes, Gala Leisure CEO said that bingo is a community-based gaming activity that is right at the softest edge of gambling, but, as such, they consider responsible gambling and its promotion extremely important and they are also well-aware of the merits to work all together as an industry and not just as a sector within an industry.

Sarah Harrison, Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission, commented that they are determined to further broaden the independent body’s base. Harrison added that they hope the Senet Group, gambling operators and other interested parties will work together, thus building on the “industry’s commitment to responsible gambling.”