CR78-p22-Comment:SJC-Casino Review 22/3/09 00:57 Page 1
internationalcasinoreview
“The difference between us
and you guys is that we believe
what we say. Apparently the
market doesn't believe us.
Don’t think that we have one
Comment
foot in the pail of bankruptcy
and the other on a banana peel
in the middle of a hurricane.
That’s not the case.”
Las Vegas sands boss
Sheldon Adelson speaking
at an investors’ forum in
New York
So farewell
then the BCA
- possibly
While even the beleaguered UK banking
industry can still be heard loud and strong
through the British Bankers Association, the
UK casino industry has not been so well
served – and it has only itself to blame,
argues Hugh Sorrill, as the British Casino
Association decides to fold.
said the association is the
creature of its members and
that is only too apparent:
given the high voltage of
competing casino operators
gathered in one room,
finding consensus cannot
be easy. The fact that there
exists a rival trade body, the
Casino Operators
Association, perceived
more to represent the
single-site and small chain
operators, is also indicative
of the fractured nature of
the UK industry – not a
unique situation in Europe
of course.
Thank you IGA from
Those long-existing
allforone cracks, however,
COMMENT disempowered the BCA,
and to such an extent that
Children with Leukaemia
Trade associations can be it was not able to mount a
really useful bodies: their sufficiently strong
highest function is to campaign during the period
and Care International
represent the common of gaming law reform and
interests of their collective then as the process turned
membership to sour, it was unable to dearcasinoreview We receive no government funding so
governments and decision- defend the industry. A long overdue but nonetheless huge it simply wouldn’t be possible to fund
makers and to the press – Because the industry could sincere thank you to Colin Thompson such crucial research without the
the best also channel not speak with one voice, it and Empire Events, organiser of the support of industries like yours.
information from could not define its International Gaming Awards, for so We look forward to hearing from you
governments etc back to objectives clearly enough to kindly choosing Children with Leukaemia in the months ahead, in the meantime,
the members and guide a confused government, it as one of the benefiting charities for the on behalf of the children who will benefit
them on its implications. could not explain itself to a 2009 Awards, their valued support in from your kindness and us all at Children
The British Casino hostile press and it could promoting awareness of our work on with Leukaemia, please accept our
Association, which (we not combat the their website, as well as through the heartfelt thanks once again and all good
learn) is to cease trading misinformation pushed out auction on the night means a great deal wishes.
at the end of March, has by its enemies. The result is to us all.
not been the best example a mashed up two-tier We are delighted to be able to join in Kind Regards
of its type – and nothing system that no-one wanted. on the evening and thrilled to be in receipt Pippa Gough
illustrates that so much as Some of the worst effects of £5,100, raised through the auctioning Corporate Partnerships
the manner of its demise. of the poor legislation can of the John Terry Chelsea shirt and the Children with Leukaemia
Having stopped its search be amended by ministerial very special Crystal Roulette Wheel
for a new chairman to decree – others will require courtesy of Cammegh. Please be dearcasinoreview
replace Lady Penelope another Gambling Act from assured this marvellous sum will imme- CARE International would like to thank
Cobham, who is leaving a future administration. If diately be put to very good use in our the organizers of the International
after more than nine years British casinos want to fight to save young lives. Gaming Awards (IGA) and all the people
in post, the inevitable exert some influence over We would like to thank personally who attended this year's event for sup-
question is what next? The those decisions, and in the Richard and Andrew Cammegh for their porting CARE's work. The money raised
reply was nothing. meantime act as a donation of the wheel and Mr Michael will help us to fight poverty in some of
Literally nothing. counterbalance to the all- Boettcher President of Storm Interna- the poorest communities in the world
Discretion is an essential powerful Gambling tional BV, who not only so generously and we look forward to working together
part of a casino operation Commission, they will need bid for the wheel but also for the signed in the future.
but it is not a quality you to come together and in John Terry Chelsea shirt
look for in public-facing such a way as to give As a charity our purpose is to fund a Gill Amas
body like the BCA. whatever is the successor wide variety of work - all with one aim in CARE International
Lady Cobham, whom I to the BCA a strong enough mind alleviating the pain and suffering Head of Communications and
interviewed this month, voice for the industry. caused by childhood leukaemia. Campaigns
22 April 2009 • comment
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