The UK Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) recently announced that its chairman, Michael Dugher, who has served for six years, will step down immediately and subsequently join the Brunswick Group to oversee UK public affairs. Updates on related industry personnel changes can be found on the PASA website.
Six Years of Dedication: From Startup to Leadership in the Industry
Dugher joined the team at the inception of BGC in December 2019, initially serving as CEO, and in April 2024, he succeeded Brigid Simmonds as chairman. As a former Labour MP, he has witnessed and driven the growth of BGC amidst multiple regulatory challenges and complex tax policies coming in November 2024, always upholding his duty as an industry representative.
In his resignation statement, he expressed pride in his experience, having united the industry with excellent colleagues and members, raised responsible gambling standards, and advocated for tens of thousands of workers across the UK. He also extended special thanks to BGC CEO Grainne Hurst and various partners including the UK's Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Core Contributions: Strengthening Responsible Gambling and Policy Bridges
During his tenure, coinciding with the implementation of the UK gambling white paper, Dugher led the introduction and adoption of 20 new safe gambling guidelines and 100 new standards, setting clear benchmarks for compliant operations in the industry.
His core contributions focused on three main areas:
Building industry consensus, maintaining constructive communication with the government and regulatory bodies during periods of tighter regulation;
Enhancing responsible gambling practices, pushing the industry from passive compliance to actively improving safety standards;
Securing development opportunities for sports projects funded by the gambling industry (especially British horse racing), building bridges between the industry and related fields.
Industry Tribute: Recognizing His Key Value
Upon Dugher's departure, various industry stakeholders expressed their respect. Ian Proctor, chairman of Flutter UK & Ireland, noted that Dugher's relentless efforts have made BGC a strong authoritative representative in the regulated industry, providing valuable support with his experience and judgment during policy changes.
Grainne Hurst, who will succeed Dugher as BGC CEO in September 2024, praised his contributions as "exceptionally outstanding," noting that he has always been clear in his goals, highly trusted among policymakers and regulators, and consistently advocated for responsible, compliant development in the gambling industry.
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