The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has released a statement welcoming Vicky Foxcroft MP’s appointment as the new minister responsible for gambling, 

However, there has been no official government or Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announcement, and Foxcroft has not announced any appointments on her X or LinkedIn pages.

SBC News has contacted DCMS for clarity on the appointment.

In its release, the BGC once again called on the UK government to tackle the black market while asking for future policy to be evidence-led and proportionate.

The BGC said it looked forward to working with reported new minister Foxcroft, highlighting her previous support for a balanced approach to gambling regulation that protects vulnerable people, particularly children and young people, while allowing adults who choose to gamble to do so safely.

“I would like to congratulate Vicky Foxcroft MP on her appointment as Minister responsible for gambling,” said Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the BGC.

“We look forward to working with her to champion Britain’s casinos, betting shops and online betting, gaming and bingo businesses – an industry that brings enjoyment to millions of people, sustains 109,000 jobs, contributes billions of pounds to the economy and provides vital funding for some of Britain’s best-loved sports.”

Twycross’ tenure as UK Gambling Minister

The trade body also paid tribute to Baroness Fiona Twycross, who Foxcroft will replace as Gambling Minister should her appointment be confirmed.

The BGC praised Twycross for facilitating “thoughtful, open and constructive” engagement with the regulated sector during her tenure.

Twycross visited BGC members in Stoke-on-Trent, Leeds, Liverpool and London, where she met industry staff and saw the sector’s contribution to jobs, tourism, local economies and leisure, alongside safer gambling measures.

She was also key in instigating a consultation on the ban of unlicensed gambling operators’ ability to sponsor events and clubs in British sport.

Twycross headed up the Illegal Gambling Taskforce, which has the remit of preventing payments from and to black market operators, taking down offshore online marketing, and enhancing cross-agency enforcement to crack down on illegal remote and land-based gambling.

“I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to Baroness Fiona Twycross for the thoughtful, open and constructive way she engaged with our industry throughout her time as Minister responsible for gambling,” said Hurst.

“She made a genuine effort to understand our members, taking the time to meet staff and visit venues across the country to see first-hand the industry’s important contribution to jobs, investment, local economies and British sport, as well as the enjoyment it brings to millions of people.

“She also recognised our members’ commitment to protecting vulnerable people. We have greatly valued her engagement and wish her every success for the future.”

Where now for UK gambling?

Little has been said about the Taskforce since it was announced at the start of the year, though we can assume that much information will not be made public in order to keep illegal operators in the dark. 

The Taskforce has been consulting on one of the issues mentioned above, however – marketing activity by unlicensed betting operators, specifically whether to ban this practice in the top-flight of English football.

During Twycross’ tenure, the DCMS also oversaw the shift to a mandatory statutory gambling levy, a key measure of the 2020-2023 review of the 2005 Gambling Act. 

While the transition from the GambleAware-led funding model to the levy has amplified the pressure on a number of gambling harm prevention charities, the DCMS has remained adamant that the Gambling Act review recommendation is aimed at reducing gambling harm across the UK.

As mentioned above, the DCMS has not confirmed Foxcroft’s appointment. SBC News is still waiting on a response, having contacted its press team. 

“Following the extensive changes introduced through the Gambling White Paper, it is vital that future policy is evidence-led, proportionate and fully considers the cumulative impact of regulation and recent tax increases on jobs, investment and the competitiveness of the regulated sector,” Hurst continued.

“We also look forward to working with the new Minister to tackle the rapidly growing illegal gambling black market, which puts consumers at risk and contributes nothing to the economy or British sport.”