Senet Group searching for new chief executive following George Kidd's departure

The Senet Group, the betting industry's self-appointed watchdog, is searching for a new chief executive following the news that George Kidd is leaving the organisation.

No reason was given in the email announcing his departure, which comes less than two years after his appointment as successor to Ron Finlay.

Kidd said he had enjoyed his time at Senet, adding: "Gambling is hardly a recent concept, but the UK regulatory environment and mobile and digital commerce has yet to mesh fully with societal expectations. A lot of good people are working to get us to that point and I wish them well."

A spokesperson for the Senet Group thanked Kidd for his contribution and said an announcement on his successor would be made in due course.

The spokesperson added: "Senet’s role will undoubtedly progress and evolve to reflect the changing needs and challenges in the industry, and we're in active discussions with our members and others regarding our future agenda."

The Senet Group, the membership of which includes Ladbrokes Coral, Paddy Power Betfair, Scotbet, Sky Bet and William Hill, was set up to address concerns about gambling, especially gambling advertising.

Campaigns have included the 'Bad Betty' television adverts as well as the 'When The Fun Stops, Stop' messaging on gambling advertising.

Sky Bet launched a marketing campaign on Sky Sports based on that message to coincide with them signing a new five-year sponsorship deal with the English Football League last autumn.

However, new Gambling Commission chief executive Neil McArthur has called for that campaign to be re-examined.

He told a safer gambling event this week: "I think it’s already time the industry looked again at the ‘When The Fun Stops, Stop’ messaging. I applaud Sky Bet’s efforts in running advertisements with nothing but the message on – but I still think the industry could do better.

"All brands need refreshing from time to time or they risk becoming seen as behind the times or just background noise. Perhaps now is the time to update 'When The Fun Stops, Stop' to demonstrate that both the industry and public expectation has moved on from when it was first launched."

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