The Gambling Business Group’s High Street Hub which was a focal point of the ARE show in Manchester continues to receive acclaim from participants drawn from both inside and outside the industry. Mark Jepp, CEO of Game Nation believes the initiative worked across a number of important levels. Game Nation CEO Mark Jepp has praised the content and delivery of the Gambling Business Group’s (GBG) Industry Workshops and Local Authority sessions presented on the organisation’s High Street Hub at last weeks ARE show.
Describing them as being a ‘highlight’ of the new industry exhibition which opened in Manchester, Mark Jepp said: “Whilst the main reason for attending a trade show is to meet with suppliers it’s also really positive to explore opportunities to meet with colleagues and learn from their experiences and insights.
“The High Street Hub dealt with a range of key topics in an accessible Workshop style environment with the sessions delivered by people who knew their subject matter. From a Game Nation perspective there were highly relevant sessions which dealt with Customer Interaction, the concept of Positive Play, Biometrics, Age Estimation Technology and the impact of Martyn’s Law which was formerly The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.”
On the second day of ARE the Gambling Business Group in partnership with the Institute of Licensing Officers (IoL) hosted over 40 representatives from Local Authorities as well as a delegation from Greater Manchester Police. “The industry has tended to refer to Local Authorities in an abstract sense but it’s really important to understand the demands and the pressures placed on Licensing Officers or Police Officers” stated Jepp.
“Having the facility to take IoL members around the show, introduce them to exhibitors and explain the dynamics impacting our business benefits everyone involved in the industry. On a practical level being able to physically demonstrate the safer gambling undertakings on gaming machines, explain how bingo tablet technology works and show age estimation technology in action – all of the time drawing on the expert insight of the companies responsible for bringing them to market – is priceless.”
Looking long-term he added: “Quite often the issues which can cause friction between the industry and external bodies are the result of a mutual lack of awareness and understanding: the tremendous success of initiatives such as the High Street Hub address those fault lines and help foster the progressive and professional relationships that the industry seeks.”
