Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) chair Michael Dugher will step down from the trade body with immediate effect after six years with the group.
The former Labour MP joined the BGC as its CEO more than four years ago, before stepping up to become chair in April 2024.
He was replaced as CEO by Entain head Grainne Hurst. The BGC has not yet laid out a chair succession plan.
Dugher will depart the standards body to take up a new position as head of Brunswick Group’s UK public affairs practice.
The BGC represents around 90% of the UK’s licensed operators, with giants such as bet365, Flutter, Entain, evoke and Bally’s all signed up as members.
The BGC replaced the Remote Gambling Association and the Association of British Bookmakers in 2019, with the two organisations being wound up.
Brigid Simmonds served as the inaugural chair of the body, having stepped into the position following decade as CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association.
The BGC began operating in October 2019, with Dugher being named as CEO in the December.
During his time with the trade body, Dugher helped play a role the industry’s lobbying efforts around the government’s 2023 white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review.
The body also introduced 20 safer gambling codes and launched charity initiatives, such as the Grand National Charity Bet.
Speaking on his decision, Dugher said: “I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved at the BGC.
“Working with outstanding colleagues and members, we brought the industry together, embraced higher standards in safer gambling and championed an industry that employs tens of thousands of talented, hardworking, decent men and women in communities across almost every part of the UK.
“In an era when there is sadly so much ignorance and snobbery about betting – not helped, in my view, by the decline in the number of working-class people in parliament – the BGC did a difficult job in navigating the industry through the previous government’s gambling review.
“This resulted in a white paper that, though not without its challenges, avoided many of the most draconian and disproportionate measures advocated by anti-gambling prohibitionists.”
Hurst added: “Michael’s contribution to the Betting and Gaming Council over the past six years has been exceptional.
“From the outset, he brought clarity of purpose, a trusted standing with policymakers and regulators, and a steadfast commitment to championing a responsible, well-regulated betting and gaming industry.
“Under his leadership, the BGC was firmly established as a credible standards body, uniting a diverse membership around stronger consumer protections and a shared determination to do the right thing, often going beyond regulatory requirements.”
Ian Proctor, Flutter UK and Ireland chair, stated: “Michael worked tirelessly to help establish the BGC as a strong and authoritative body for the regulated industry.
“During a period of significant policy change, his experience and judgement were invaluable in supporting constructive engagement with government and the regulator [the Gambling Commission], including through the Gambling Act review and the delivery of the white paper.”
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.
The post Betting and Gaming Council chair departs with immediate effect first appeared on EGR Intel.
Michael Dugher brings his six-year association with trade body to an end as he moves to head up Brunswick Group’s UK public affairs arm
The post Betting and Gaming Council chair departs with immediate effect first appeared on EGR Intel.