The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has appointed David Willetts to coordinate its press and public relations operations as Director of Communications and Digital.

In his new position, Willetts will hold the aforementioned responsibilities of maintaining media relations, whilst also working towards the BGC’s objective of ‘building consumer and public trust in the betting and gaming industry’ with assistance from Deputy Director of Communications and Digital, Michael Denoual.

Willets will assume the role in the new year upon completion of his current position – Press Secretary to Conservative Cabinet Minister Ben Wallace and Head of Ministerial Communications at the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

“The BGC is the standards body committed to driving big changes across the regulated betting and gaming industry,” said Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC.

“David Willetts is a brilliantly experienced and respected former journalist and communications professional with an outstanding reputation in the media and in government. David will be a formidable asset for the BGC. He also joins a strong team which includes the superbly talented Michael Denoual.”

Prior to his current departmental and cabinet positions, Willetts has accumulated experience across ‘both government and journalism’, having worked at tabloid outlet The Sun for over a decade.

The BGC’s hiring of a new communications Director comes as the UK betting and gaming industry awaits the outcome of the government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act, placing a heightened importance on public relations. 

To maintain public support for the industry in the face of the possibility of stricter restrictions on advertising and other areas of operations, the BGC has repeatedly reiterated figures demonstrating the sector’s financial contribution to the British economy, employment and sports scene.

The organisation has also updated its long-standing slogan ‘When the Fun Stops, Stop’, with a new message,‘Take Time to Think’, leveraging a series of television commercials to promote the campaign to the general public. 

Commenting on his appointment, Willetts said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Betting and Gaming Council and can’t wait to get started. They’ve already made big strides increasing standards across the industry and I’m looking forward to working with the excellent team to drive that work on.”