INSIGHT EUROPEAN CASINO ASSOCIATION
Blankenberge Solidarity
Cooperation is key to tackling the multiple
challenges facing the European casino industry, both land-based and online.
G3 speaks to Dominique (Domi) De Wilde, CEO of Casino Blankenberge, Secretary of the Belgian Gaming
Association and newest Board Member of the European Casino Association, about the future of land-based and online gaming, and the challenges presented by illegal operators in Europe.
Why did you become a member of the ECA?
Before entering the casino industry, I worked with PwC in Belgium. I have a legal background and I also qualified as chartered accountant. In this role I conducted the due diligence for the Rank Group for its casino operations in Belgium. I subsequently joined Rank as financial manager for their Belgian operations.
My predecessor at Casino Blankenberge held the position of secretary of the Belgian Casino Federation, which was a member of the ECF, the European Casino Forum. I joined him taking part in ECF meetings before the association eventually became the European Casino Association. When my predecessor left, I took over as managing director of the business, as the secretary of the Belgian Casino Federation and continued as a member of the ECA.
As a newly appointed Board Member, what is your remit within the ECA and how much engagement do you have with the association?
I am truly convinced that land-based and online casinos have more in common than
there are differences, especially in the field of illegal gambling and issues with banks and financial institutions. If I can
play a role in bridging these two sides within the ECA, then I’m happy to do that.
Members of the ECA attend two meetings per year; the first at the General Shareholders Meeting held at the ICE show, and the second is the Summer Meeting, which has now become the ECA Industry Forum. Te contrast from member to board member is that I’m now much more involved in the association. We are working currently on the Strategic Paper that will be proposed to our
shareholders at the ICE meeting. Tere’s more involvement in strategic discussions, planning, working groups etc.
Recently, Casino Blankenberge was acquired by the online gaming group Kindred/ Unibet. I am truly convinced that land-based and online casinos have more in common than there are differences, especially in the field of illegal gambling and issues with banks and financial institutions. If I can play a role in bridging these two sides within the ECA, then I’m happy to do that.
How important a role does the ECA play in promoting the positive activities of casinos in Europe?
Te ECA’s role can hardly be overstated. Collectively, the ECA represents 900 casinos with more than 70 000 employees in 28 countries. Te association represents privately-owned casinos as well as state- owned casinos who, by definition, have a larger impact and greater influence at the national and political level. Te ECA is THE voice of the European casinos.
A very beneficial ECA practice is the
P34 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
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