As reported briefly in this column on Wednesday, former deputy chief inspector of the Gaming Board for Great Britain Derrick Burns, has passed away at the age of 76.
Derek died at his home in Green Point in northern New South Wales, on Tuesday of this week. Derrick was 26 years in the Royal Navy before joining the Gaming Board, which he left in 2004. He then used his expertise in a consultancy capacity, operating out of Australia and Malaysia, working on a number of gaming-related projects with his own company, Derrick Burns Associates Ltd.
He leaves a wife and three children and his funeral was a private cremation.
His old colleague at the Gaming Board, Graham White, sent InterGame this appreciation of Derrick: “After a distinguished career in the Royal Navy as a weapons electrical engineer Derrick joined the Gaming Board and quickly re-vitalised the post of senior machines inspector. He was an effective member of the inspectorate consistently displaying his undoubted skills and leadership qualities. It would be fair to say that he was an uncompromising individual, tough and resolute but always ready to listen and advise where appropriate and for that he was hugely respected by the board and his colleagues.
“He loved his job and enjoyed the company of his friends and associates. He was always last to bed after a party where he would regale us with many amusing stories but up first the next morning and in his own words ‘ship-shape and shiny’. He was an engaging character. It was obvious to me that he would go far so I moved him to be the senior inspector for London and the South East of England to gain more experience in the other aspects of the role and function of the board. He quickly made an impressive impact and relished the new responsibility.
“Again he quickly revitalised the inspectorate after an unfortunate and unnecessary period in the history of the board that lost its way with a protracted series of events which rumbled on for too long and resulted in nothing significant. After this successful appointment I promoted him to be deputy chief inspector where yet again he displayed his wonderful leadership qualities. During this time he helped me in the expansion of machines department with a new role that included the oversight of remote gambling. His technical knowledge was outstanding illustrated by his help in establishing Alderney as one of the leading remote gambling authorities in the world. It was a remarkable achievement and an everlasting credit to him and his exemplary knowledge and analytical skills.
“Sadly he was diagnosed cancer in late 2003 and retired in 2004 to spend more time with his loving wife Dot and his family. After being diagnosed he spent several days with my late wife and myself where he never faltered in his optimism and courage. We spent many happy hours wining, dining and sipping his favourite malt whiskey. Never once did we detect any self-pity; only strength of purpose to continue to live a long life of happiness with Dot and his family. You meet a lot of forgettable and deceitful people in life but Derrick was a loyal, supportive friend and colleague. I will miss him all my days and remember him always for being a true life enhancer.”
