RAiG chairman joins UK gambling compliance consultancy

Clive Hawkswood has joined Gambling Integrity as executive advisor.

UK.- The outgoing chairman of the trade association Responsible Affiliates in Gambling (RAiG) has taken up a role as executive advisor at Gambling Integrity, a consultancy that advises on compliance with UK gaming regulations.

Hawkswood, who has been chairman of RAiG since its creation, was formerly CEO of the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and a board member of safer gambling charity GambleAware.

He was the first chairman of the gambling self-exclusion scheme Gamstop and was named a non-executive director at responsible gambling solutions provider BeBettor last April.

He said: “It is always better to seek out and address any regulatory failings, especially where they relate to player protection, before they are identified by the Gambling Commission. 

“With operator boards being held directly responsible for serious breaches, I am sure that more than ever they will want to have the fullest confidence in the controls and systems within their companies.

“I am delighted to now be part of the Gambling Integrity team working with our clients to ensure their boards are fully briefed on the steps they need to take to maximise regulatory compliance and good corporate governance.”

Gambling Integrity’s founder, Malcolm Bruce, said: “Clive brings huge depth of knowledge of the online gambling industry together with a deep commitment to player protection and the prevention of gambling-related harm.

“He will be working with us to develop and enhance our pre-audit review (PAR) service, which provides reassurance to operators that they are in good shape from a regulatory perspective before they are audited, inspected, or have their licences reviewed by the British Gambling Commission.”

Cian Nugent, managing director of racing for affiliate and media business at the Racing Post, will replace Hawkswood as chairman of RAiG.

Last year RAiG called for a shake-up of the UK affiliate scene and decided to support calls for the statutory licensing of affiliates.

Meanwhile, Joonas Karhu, chief business officer at the online gambling comparison site Bojoko, launched the Professional Gambling Affiliates Association (PGAA) to campaign for better treatment of affiliates.