The Betting and Gaming Council has congratulated a “well deserved” Michelle Donelan after newly named UK Prime Minister Liz Truss appointed a fresh Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Donelan replaces Nadine Dorries in the position following a resignation from duties after choosing not to serve in the senior cabinet of the PM.
Following the appointment, the BGC has urged the DCMS secretary to continue engagement with the industry in a bid to strike “the right balance” in the forthcoming, and much delayed, gambling review.
These proceedings have seen the government announce consecutive delays in publishing the much anticipated white paper, with stakeholders continuing to wait on judgements related to customer affordability checks, compliance, wagering limits and football sponsorships.
After initially being rescheduled to be announced in June, gambling incumbents were further frustrated after the government said that the reforms would be settled by a new cabinet taking office in September following the conclusion of the Conservative leadership contest.
Michael Dugher, CEO of the BGC, commented: “On behalf of the 119,000 people whose jobs are supported by our members – from the high street to hospitality, from tourism to tech – I’d like to congratulate Michelle Donelan on her new role as Secretary of State for DCMS.
“Our industry generates £4.5bn in taxes for the treasury and contributes £7.7bn for the economy in gross value added.
“We have been working extremely closely with the DCMS over many years to help the government find the right balance in the gambling review, so that we continue to drive big changes and higher standards on safer gambling to better protect the most vulnerable, whilst at the same time ensuring that the millions of people who enjoy an occasional flutter perfectly safely and responsibly have the freedom to do so.”
