The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has congratulated Lisa Nandy MP on her reappointment as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and John Healey MP on his appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The standards body said it looked forward to continuing its constructive relationship with the Secretary of State for Culture, who has previously recognised the regulated betting, gaming and casino sector’s significant contribution to jobs, investment and economic growth across the UK.
The new Chancellor has also been a longstanding supporter of the industry’s Grand National Charity Bet initiative. Earlier this year, he visited his local betting shop to place a charity bet, meeting staff and seeing first-hand the important contribution betting shops make as community hubs, supporting local jobs and raising money for good causes.
The BGC said it will work constructively with the Secretary of State and Chancellor to restore a stable, internationally competitive tax and regulatory environment and ensure the remaining Gambling Act Review reforms are genuinely evidence-led, protect consumers and do not drive customers towards the growing illegal gambling market.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “I would like to congratulate Lisa Nandy MP on her reappointment as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and John Healey MP on his appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
“Lisa Nandy’s reappointment provides an opportunity to build on the positive relationship we have developed since she first took office. She has consistently recognised the important contribution our regulated betting, casino and online sector makes to Britain’s economy, supporting 109,000 jobs, contributing £6.8 billion in gross value added, generating £4 billion in tax each year and investing millions more in sport, including racing.”
“We were also pleased to see John Healey support this year’s Grand National charity bet initiative, which has helped raise significant sums for charities while celebrating one of Britain’s great sporting occasions.
“There is important work ahead. We want to work with the Secretary of State to address our serious concerns about Financial Risk Assessments. The Gambling Commission has yet to demonstrate that the underlying data is sufficiently accurate and reliable. Pressing ahead before those concerns have been resolved risks driving customers away from the regulated sector and towards the growing illegal gambling market, where there are no safer gambling protections, no age verification and no contribution to British sport or the wider economy.”
“We also look forward to working constructively with the Chancellor and his colleagues in the Treasury. The new Government inherits a sector that has been significantly weakened by recent tax increases, which have cost jobs, undermined investment and competitiveness while strengthening the illegal gambling market. We hope to work together to restore a stable, internationally competitive tax and regulatory environment that supports jobs, protects consumers and delivers sustainable revenues for the Treasury.”
The BGC said it will work with ministers across Government in a way that is evidence-led and proportionate, supports a thriving regulated sector and tackles the growing illegal gambling market.
