SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The European Casino Association (ECA) has announced that the UK has returned to full membership of the organisation after a two year absence.
This follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the UK’s eight casino operators and the ECA Board, solidifying the country’s status as a full association member.
The official induction of the eight UK operators was approved by the ECA’s cross-continental membership at the Casino Industry Forum, held at Casino Baden, Austria, on 28-29 September.
Per Jaldung, ECA Chairman, said: “It was a great disappointment when the UK left the ECA in 2020, and from the outset we have been working to bring them back.
“The UK has a thriving land-based gaming industry, and we are extremely proud that our joint efforts have led to the successful re-entry of the UK as a full member of the ECA. UK casino operators have a lot to offer to the network of continental European operators, and we are thrilled to extend our membership to include the UK.”
Under the MoU, the ECA’s new British membership includes the Aspers Group, Crown Aspinalls, Genting Casinos UK, the Hippodrome Casino, Les Ambassadeurs, Mayfair Casino, Rank Group and Metropolitan Gaming.
Simon Thomas, Chief Executive of the Hippodrome Casino, who worked with the ECA to formalise the induction of the UK’s casino operators, said: “I am delighted to be back in the fold of the European Casino Association.
“As the representative for the eight UK casino operators within the ECA, we are stronger together through shared experiences.
“As a full member, we will be capitalising on the knowledge base of the European land-based sector and the incredible value it creates for its members.”
The re-extension of the ECA’s membership to UK casinos marks the first major interaction the organisation has had with a major private company in the gaming space since a partnership with payments service OKTO was inked back in April.
Shortly after the agreement was signed, Jaldung – who is also CEO of Casino Cosmopol – spoke at the CasinoBeats Summit Malta, where he reflected on European gaming market developments during the post-Covid recovery period.
