The Association Of British Bookmakers help maintain integrity in UK gambling

02 December 2009

The Association of British Bookmakers is the UK's leading trade association in representing off-course bookmakers. The group's objective is to help create and sustain the ideal conditions in which any socially responsible and law-abiding betting shop operator can compete and prosper.

The UK is riddled with bookmakers and other operators of off-course betting shops. In order to develop and implement strategies, many members must frequently come together, gather input, and discuss the best moves for the industry as a whole, while still remaining within the framework of the laws in place.

The ABB has many members and is a relatively large organization. Their membership covers the entire spectrum of Great Britain's bookmakers, including national chains, sole traders, and other independent members of any size. All together, the ABB has over 200 independent members, and in total, they operate more than 5,000 betting shops around the UK.

Similar groups have been around the UK since the early 1960s. The ABB, however, has only been around for a few years. Regardless of their “rookie” status, the group has proven to be reputable and showed the betting world that their regulatory measures and strides to improve gaming have everyone's interest at heart.

The Association of British Bookmakers was formerly introduced in October of 2002, following the merger of the British Betting Office Association (BBOA) and the Betting Office Licensees Association (BOLA). The former of these offered representation to independent bookmakers, and the latter was a group whose members included the large bookmaking chains.

The group works closely within the betting community to ensure that children and vulnerable parties are protected. Although recent studies show that only 0.6% of adults are actually “problem” gamblers, the ABB still takes great steps in reducing that number.

For the customers of the bookmakers, a multitude of information is available about how to avoid dependency on betting. In order to play a role in keeping children away from gambling, the ABB makes certain that all members of the group strictly adhere to age verification policies.

It's because of the continued work of groups like ABB that very few young people are allowed access to gamble, and very few adults develop gambling problems.

The ABB also carefully tracks crime. The group produces guidelines for its members and illustrates how the “Proceeds of Crime Act” directly affects their businesses. They also carefully illustrate what people should look for in order to avoid the criminal element sometimes associated with gambling.

The ABB also supports the Crimestoppers charity, reaffirming their anti-crime position. All members are welcome to alert the ABB of suspicious activity and can do so anonymously.

For parties interested in learning how to become a bookmaker, the ABB main site offers a plethora of detailed information, all illustrating exactly what people should do and expect when dealing with the gambling industry. Bookmakers with their own shop are also able to join the ABB from the main site.

Tags: bookmakers, off-course betting shops, british betting office association, betting office licensees association, bboa, bola, crimestoppers, proceeds of crime act,
Posted In: Legislation, Associations,

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Marcos - 03 December 2009

"...At an European level, there should be this type of organization in order to regulate operators at an European level and avoid state monopolies in the sector that go against the Single Market, as it has been the case of several Member States instead of fully participating in the single market that the EU is supposed to be. Why can't bookies and punters have the right to choose where they put their money as it's supposed to happen in the internal market..? A consumers association, the right2bet petition advocates an EU-level system of regulation to implement a free market in online gambling, please go to the site and support their petition...."

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