Expert Licence Fee Support & Financial Consultancy

EXPERT SUPPORT & CONSULTANCY

Being able to call upon expert advice and support can give businesses that crucial competitive edge in today’s market…

Drawing upon 13 years of senior financial management experience within the Gambling Commission, you can rely on SKA Financial Consultancy to provide an unparalleled insight into the Gambling Commission licence fees and the regulatory structure. We can provide a full range of advisory services to help you achieve a better understanding of why the fees are as they are, or be in a stronger position to challenge current and future fee proposals. SKA Financial Consultancy were the architects of the current fee structure and are intimately aware of the activity-based costing assumptions that drive the current fees. We would be delighted to answer your questions or support you to challenge the licence fee structure or the fees that you are being asked to pay. We will tailor our support to your requirements, anything from a straightforward conversation to help you understand the assumptions and principles that the Gambling Commission have applied to arrive at the current licence fees – we developed those assumptions, stress tested them, negotiated them with DCMS and the Treasury, and ultimately applied them to the regulatory structure – through to a more thorough package of support, including:

Licence Fee Consultations:

SKA Financial Consultancy can provide a unique insight to challenge proposals under licence fees consultations, having been an integral part in successfully justifying fee changes under previous fees consultations, the most recent of which was in 2017. Proposals to increase licence fees are inevitable, particularly given the rapidly evolving gambling environment and changing focus of the Gambling Commission. As the Commission’s fee levels and structure are set in statute, any proposed changes are subject to a formal consultation process which presents a fantastic opportunity to challenge proposals, scrutinise assumptions and lobby government prior to the legislation being passed. The fees consultation process offers a genuine opportunity to challenge fee proposals, as well as capitalising on a wider focus on the Gambling Commission and regulation in general. The gambling industry cannot afford not to capitalise on this opportunity, and what better way than to enrol the support and unrivalled fees expertise of finance professionals who have been an integral part of previous fee consultations from the Gambling Commission’s perspective – SKA Financial Consultancy can provide this insight.

Mergers & Acquisitions:

We have the knowledge to help you achieve the most cost effective and fee efficient management of your operating licences throughout the merger and acquisition process, ensuring that you don’t end up paying £’000s in unnecessary Commission licence fees. SKA Financial Consultancy can provide unique support to ensure that you hold the most appropriate combination of operating licences prior to, during and post-merger and acquisition, providing complete peace of mind that you are only paying what you need to pay in operating licence fees.

Challenges to the fees that you are being charged:

The fees that you pay for your operating licence can be substantial, and SKA Financial Consultancy’s range of services and advisory support can ensure that you are always within the correct licence category, only paying what you are legally obliged to pay. However, on occasions, the Commission may determine, particularly with regard to new applications or variations to the operating licence, that you should be in a licence category that may not be optimal for your business. We can help you to challenge this decision, providing you with the tools and expert advice to successfully appeal the decision, potentially saving £’000s.

Financial Improvements & Change:

We believe that even the best organisation’s finance functions can operate more effectively. By drawing upon more than twenty years financial management and accounting experience, we can challenge your existing systems, processes and controls through a fresh perspective. We will work with your current finance expertise to identify how, why and when your financial function is at its most and least effective. What marks us apart from the competition is that we recognise that the most important aspect of any change, transformation or improvement is the people who will drive that change forward. We will work with you and your finance teams to identify and implement improvements together, working as a single transformational change team to deliver tangible results. Those most affected by the change, and those who will benefit most, will be fundamental to our approach as we work side-by-side to realise positive results.

Looking for support and insight to challenge licence fee proposals or GC fee assumptions?

SKA Financial Consultancy offer unparalleled experience of the GC licence fees, having been instrumental in the development of the current licence fee structure, as well as previous iterations.
SKA Financial Consultancy can support you with this…