Gambling industry expert Grainne Hurst was recently appointed as the chief executive officer of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

Hurst is poised to guide the industry in the United Kingdom through a period of transition, with the sector facing not only regulatory reform but also tackling the challenges posed by the gambling black market.

"There is a huge amount of work ahead of us, not least delivering and implementing the outstanding proposals outlined in last year's white paper, many of which our members called for," Hurst said upon taking the role at the BGC.

"Our members are rightly proud of their vital role in the UK entertainment industry and the significant part they play supporting the local and national economies through tax and high-value jobs."

Hurst's remit includes Northern Ireland and her decisions will not only impact the market there, but will also influence the gaming sector south of the border.

While Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have different regulatory frameworks, many operators featured on comparison platform Casino.com IE welcome players from across the Emerald Isle.

Under Hurst's leadership, the BGC aims to bridge the divides by promoting responsible gambling practices and advocating for regulatory uniformity where possible.

Entain's former Group Corporate Affairs Director hopes to improve the industry's reputation on both sides of the border by supporting operators that prioritise customer protection.

An Influential Career Path

Hurst has enjoyed a remarkable career. She has plenty of experience in the regulated betting and gaming sector after spending nearly a decade at Entain.

During her tenure, she led the company's activities and relationships with the government and the public sector and successfully spearheaded their rebranding from GVC to Entain.

She also developed the award-winning 'Changing for the Bettor' campaign for safer gambling that gained global recognition.

Before her spell with Entain, Hurst served as a special advisor to the UK government, which equipped her with the skills to navigate complicated regulations with relative ease.

Her expertise in corporate affairs, public relations and regulatory compliance made her a natural fit for the BGC's top position.

She also served as a board member of Global Gaming Women (GGW), highlighting her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry.

The BGC's Role in the Gambling Ecosystem

As the CEO of the BGC, Hurst leads an organisation that represents over 90 percent of the regulated betting and gaming industry in the UK.

The BGC's members support 110,000 jobs, generate around £4.2 billion in tax revenue and contribute £7.1bn to the economy annually.

The BGC is a cornerstone of the UK's entertainment and economic sectors, and Hurst's appointment comes at a critical period.

The gambling industry is grappling with deep-rooted reforms introduced by the previous government's white paper, which outlined proposals aimed at modernising the sector and addressing the longstanding issue of problem gambling.

Hurst has her work cut out. Some of the key measures required include implementing a statutory levy to fund research and treatment for gambling-related harm, introducing online financial risk checks, setting stake limits for online slots and establishing a Sports Sponsorship Code.

Her mission is to make sure these reforms are implemented smoothly, but she also needs to balance regulatory compliance while making sure the industry continues its rapid growth.

Hurst has made it clear that she is committed to diversity through her efforts to increase the representation of women in the gambling industry.

As a GGW board member, she has a hand in the company's expansion, spreading its wings into the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Tackling the Black Market

One of Hurst's top priorities is taking on the gambling black market, which has long been a problem for consumers and the industry's reputation.

The power that the black market wields is a pressing concern for Hurst, especially as several enforcement efforts have not been successful in mitigating its activity.

However, she has wasted no time tackling the issue head-on, and she believes a unified approach is the best way to get the job done.

She has already taken the necessary steps to get the show on the way, overseeing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Gaming Association and the European Casino Association aimed at tackling unregulated gambling.

"My priority is ensuring we do everything in our power to do our job on this," Hurst said.

"We have to be continually promoting and enhancing the BGC's member's role in the leisure, entertainment and tourism sector and ensuring policymakers and the wider public recognise there is a huge difference between us and the unsafe, unregulated gambling black market."