Major Board Reshuffle of the European Casino Association
The European Casino Association has made big changes to multiple strategic positions with the intention of refreshing ideas and balancing decision making. For the first time in their history, the European Casino Association (ECA) will have two vice-chairmen to oversee decision-making and bring more balance to the process overall. This decision wasn’t conducted lightly as a preliminary vote was taken from all current board members, in the end, over two-thirds of the votes were in favor of the change.
The European Casino Association will include two vice-chairs on the board for the first time in history. The reasoning for this is to balance the decision-making process better and provide better representation across the board members. ©TheAndrasBarta/Pixabay
Two of the boards most affluent members, Pascal Camia and Bettina Glatz-Kresmer have been chosen to take over the role. Camia will be continuing as the previous singular vice-chair, while Glatz-Kresmer is new to the role, having previously stood on the executive committee. The association unanimously agreed that Camia was fit to continue in her position as well as have Glatz-Kresmer join her.
Several important businesspeople sit on the association board, including casino owners and CEO’s of large online betting firms. For example, Erwin Van Lambaart is the current CEO of Holland Casino, the largest land-based chain in The Netherlands. Tiina Siltanen is the general manager of Casino Helsinki, another large European casino chain based in Finland. While it’s easy to assume that individuals with business interests could exploit the system in their favor, each member is thoroughly vetted, and trust is absolute.
The current system seems to be working as decisions are being made swiftly, and to the surprise of firms across Europe, their hands-on attitude has enabled the survival of several smaller continental casinos chains. Casinos have been severely affected by the pandemic and the ECA plays a big part in the reopening and stabilization of the industry for example in countries such as Hungary and Belgium reopening procedures are already under way.
Another credible member of the team is Per Jaldung, who last week was award’ CEO of the year’ at the Global Gaming Awards held in London. An incorruptible spine allows the association to prevent fraudulent activity such as insider trading while also benefitting each rank of the industry. In collaboration with the American Casino Society, several international aids have assisted with casino reopenings in Las Vegas and vice versa in European cities such as Stockholm and Berlin.
The Tribunal Grows Stronger
As well as the previously mentioned CEO’s and founders of some of Europe’s biggest casino chains, three new members were announced very soon after the initial double vice chairs bill was passed. Straight from Las Vegas, several of the biggest names from Nevada have taken their place at the ’round table’ of the European Casino Association. As time goes its influence has grown significantly, playing a part at every level of the industry.
Matthew Maddox, CEO of Wynn Resorts, famously compared the ECA to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, an ancient British folklore dating back to the 9h century. An odd statement at face value but the real meaning behind Maddox’s comments highlight the overall sustainability of their established system. The ECA has become an incorruptible powerhouse in the gambling industry, effectively utilizing legal powers to change the casino industry positively.
In the future, the ECA hopes to address numerous pressing issues. These include sustainability, environmental concerns, worker rights and inclusion. While the overall agenda isn’t limited to the four mentioned, they will be the main focus of the board members. Unlicensed gambling setups have been targeted by the ECA, seen as a nuisance and a violation of both consumer and worker rights; they hope to rid Europe of all back-alley platforms.
What do the ECA Actually do?
With over 28 members on the board and over 70,000 direct employees across the continent, the ECA’s outreach is massive. The organization’s main purpose is to promote relevant issues and help change the casino industry for the better. For example, they spearheaded a campaign addressing the low average CSR score of most European casinos.
They look out for all casino stakeholders, including the customers, the employees, and the shareholders themselves. They supply information directly to European governments to prompt legal powers and enable the change they require. As all of the board members are directly connected to casino businesses, the source of information is highly credible. Current issues are easy to address, and stabilization is a top priority.
