The RGA and ABB plans merger

Remote Gambling Association and the Association of British Bookmakers—two of the biggest organisations in the gambling sector in the UK—are planning a merger. This is following harsh criticism against the organisations from within the industry over their inability to oppose the government crackdown of controversial fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs).

These associations are planning a merger ostensibly to form a more powerful political lobbying group.

Two job advertisements—for a chairman and a chief executive officer—that a recruitment firm called Ellwood Atfield posted, show telltale signs of an imminent merger. The ads also indicate that the industry body is likely to be called Newco, and it will be the largest and most prominent organisation representing the British gambling sector.

The ABB was among the most fierce critics of the UK Government’s plans to impose restrictions, such as the reduction of the maximum stake from £100 to £2 on fixed-odds betting machines.