Gambling Commission calls on gambling industry to end sexism
The British Gambling Commission (GC) has today (Monday) issued a call to bring an end to sexism in the industry.
GC chief executive Sarah Harrison referenced this week’s ICE Totally Gaming event at the ExCeL, which she said the regulator could boycott unless attitudes change.
Harrison spoke about previous editions of the event, where “scantily clad” women have featured on stands to promote certain gambling products and services.
The chief executive also references her own visit to the show last year, saying that this inspired her to speak with senior figures from across the gambling sector in regards to addressing a “significant stain on the industry’s reputation”.
“This is an industry where we have a number of talented, powerful and successful women,” Harrison said at the International Casino Conference, an event that precedes ICE Totally Gaming.
“Yet from walking around the exhibition you wouldn’t know this; instead you saw men representing their companies wearing expensive tailored suits whilst their female colleagues were expected to wear nothing more than swimsuits. I say bring this to an end now.
“And to go further, any future participation by the Gambling Commission in events like this will depend on there being change.”
The European Casino Association (ECA) and Clarion Gaming, which organises the event, have backed the UKGC, issuing an open letter urging exhibitors to take note of the warning before the event opens tomorrow.
According to The Guardian, the letter said: “In the spirit of the 21st century, when both women and men play strategic and decision-making roles in businesses, we encourage all exhibitors to mindfully represent support staff promoting their products at the show in a non-offensive and non-stereotyping way.
“For both organisations, it is clear that presenting a modern and diverse gaming industry should be at the heart of the show.
“For this to be successful and ensure that all participants feel equally welcome, the respectful representation of genders is crucial.”
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