In its push to ensure responsible gaming, Tashia Hutton, president of the Jamaica Gaming Association (JGA), has warned that the organisation will be constantly raising standards to rid the industry of the negative stigma of illegality and corruption.

Hutton, who was elevated to the position one year ago following the passing of Brian George, has been working closely with the Betting Gaming and Lottery Commission (BGLC) in an effort to preserve the industry’s existence and sustainability. She has been instrumental in ensuring its members adopt new regulatory standards.

In leading this charge, Hutton, who is also vice-president, customer support and regulatory affairs, Supreme Ventures Ltd (SVL), has encouraged members to nominate within their operations officers who will champion the implementation and adoption of these new standards and become the gatekeepers in ensuring compliance.

Hutton explained: “The betting and gaming industry provides gainful employment for thousands, plus contributes to the government consolidated funds via millions in taxes each year. It is therefore a vital player to Jamaican economy.

“Yes, we appreciate that there is an underground of illegal facilitators who continue to give the industry a bad name, but where our members are concerned, we are going to employ standards to protect all our stakeholders and, in doing so, will continue to support the ‘Responsible Gaming’ mantra and encourage player-to-game only agents approved by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission.”

Already threatened by the advent of de-risking, the industry struggles to maintain its integrity and maintain banking relationships.

Under de-risking, banks aim to insulate themselves from possible contaminations, whether by way of customers or any other relationships that could be vulnerable to money laundering practices.

As the compliance lead for the largest Betting and Gaming company in Jamaica, it was not surprising that this was one of Hutton’s priorities since taking the helm of the association. As such, in September 2017 the association collaborated with the BGLC to host its first ever joint anti-money laundering (AML) seminar/workshop for nominating officers.

“The objective was to bring nominated officers of gaming establishments (gaming lounges) and the BGLC together in an open forum to discuss practical methods in implementing an effective anti-money laundering programme,” explained Hutton.

She added: “It marked the importance of regulator working together with licensees to increase the levels of compliance.”

In opening the workshop, she explained the relevance and key elements of the AML programme, and detailed the key roles and responsibilities of the nominated officers and extent of liabilities that could extend themselves and other officers of the organisation.

Laurie Wiggan, director of the Compliance and Regulatory Division, BGLC, outlined the commission’s minimum standard requirements for an effective AML programme and support in the JGA’s commitment to compliance with the Proceeds of Crime Act and its regulation.

“The commission is not only there to regulate and ensure compliance with standards, but considers itself a chief facilitator for all registered businesses operating in the Betting Gaming and Lotteries space,” Wiggan outlined.

“I am therefore excited of this new partnership approach with association and look forward to working closely with its members to enrich the industry,” she added.