Several high profile Labour and Lib Dem politicians are ready to hurl fire and brimstone on the gambling industry following scenes that emerged from ICE Totally Gaming in London. Pole dancers, women clad in swimsuits, groping, sexual propositions, harassment and mandatory non-disclosure agency agreements are allegedly only a few of the clear signs of a disticnt sexualization of women in the London ExCel conference centre. As it was expected, such footage was distinctly critiscized by both male and female politicians and a number of high profile members of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, including Sarah Harrison.
The UKGC did not hold back in attacking the organizers and participating operators at ICE, by claiming that while male brand representatives were wearing expensive tailored suits, their female counterparts were requested to keep their attire to an absolute minimum. Mrs Harrison consequently has hinted that unless the industry takes active steps to tackle sexism, the UKGC will boycott any future events taking place withing Brittain.
Labour MP Jess Phillips, who sits on the women and equalities select committee, said: “It is time that companies woke up and realised that in 2018, using women’s bodies to sell stuff to men belittles both sexes. Worse even than this is people who think it’s just a laugh, who should understand that treating women’s bodies this way is part of the same culture that means schoolgirls routinely suffer sexual harassment and assault at school, for example.”