British Parliamentary Group for Betting and Gaming to host international legislators in London in February

Day’s programme to include visit to ICE Totally Gaming, international policy seminar, tour of a betting shop, bingo hall and London casino and reception at the Palace of Westminster.

While authorised and regulated at the state level, gambling faces challenges and undergoes developments that transcend national boundaries. To facilitate the exchange on gambling policy and share best practice from around the world, the British Parliamentary All Party Betting & Gaming Group (APPG) is inviting law-makers from around the world to join them in February in London for a day of educational and networking activities.

Scheduled for Tuesday, 7 February 2017, on the opening day of ICE Totally Gaming, the world’s largest gaming exhibition attended by close to 30 000 visitors, the International Legislators’ Day will not only give an opportunity to law-makers and regulators to discuss how best to legislate and scrutinise legislation of gambling, but also to witness industry innovation on display at the show and in operation by touring gambling facilities, such as a betting shop and a casino.

Philip Davies MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary All Party Betting & Gaming Group.
Philip Davies MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary All Party Betting & Gaming Group.
Philip Davies MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary All Party Betting & Gaming Group, a group of 40 British Members of Parliament with interest in gambling, and the host of the initiative, commented in the invitation: ‘We believe that while each gambling jurisdictions’ issues are unique, there are concerns such as preventing problem gambling, protecting against crime, ensuring the integrity of sports and getting levels of taxation right that are common to all of us. We hope that by getting together and sharing expertise, we can provide our constituents and stakeholders with a more informed approach.’

The initiative has already received support from the National Council of Legislators form Gaming States, a US organisation, whose President, Bill Galvano, a veteran senator from Florida said: “At NCLGS, we have long recognized that elected officials can best learn from each other as to what works, and what doesn’t when it comes to gaming policy. As gaming has evolved into a global industry, our members must expand our horizons as well, and learn from our counterparts overseas, and they in turn, can learn much from our experience.” In the spirit of that international exchange, he also encouraged elected officials to attend the NCLGS Winter Meeting taking place on 6-8 January in Scottsdale, AZ.

International Legislators’ Day, hosted by the Parliamentary All Party Betting & Gaming Group, will take place in London on 7 February 2017. For more information, contact the Secretariat of the Parliamentary All Party Betting & Gaming Group at sdonoughue@gamblingconsultant.co.uk or the organiser of ICE Totally Gaming at ewa.bakun@clarionevents.com.

For more information on the world’s largest gaming event and to register for tickets, visit: www.icetotallygaming.com