The head of the largest online gambling trade association in the world, representing gaming sites such as those powered by Microgaming, has spoken out against the UK Gambling Commission.
The outgoing chief executive, Clive Hawkswood, denounced a “culture gone wrong” at the UKGC, ever since a new policy involving harsher enforcement was ushered in by former chief, Sarah Harrison. Speaking about the UKGC’s policies, Hawkswood said that there were elements of “McCarthyism” to current regulations that govern the UK gambling industry. He said that there were “some thoughts that are now deemed heresy by the commission.”
Hawkswood, who announced his departure from the RGA in September this year after 14 years at the helm of the group, also confirmed that he intended to merge industry trade bodies before he moved on. In particular, the CEO confirmed that he was in talks with the Association of British Bookmakers in the hope of forming a unified trade body.
“If we can get anything right over the next year, that’s what we need to do,” said Hawkswood at the RGA’s annual meeting recently.
61 year old Hawkswood does not have another role lined up and will play an active role in searching for his successor. Recruitment is currently underway and it is expected that an interim chief executive will be announced in the coming weeks.