In a reshuffling of the U.K. cabinet, Nadine Dorries became the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport. Dorries will oversee the review of the 2005 Gambling Act, which will address issues such as gambling protections for those under 25, online, and land-based gambling, according to iGaming Business.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of the trade group, the Betting and Gaming Council, called the appointment “well deserved. On behalf of the 119,000 people whose jobs are supported by our members I’d like to congratulate Nadine Dorries.”
Dugher reiterated the council’s insistence that the review take an evidence-led approach.
“We have been working extremely closely with the DCMS over very many months 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,” Dugher said.
Dorries was Minister of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety. She replaced Oliver Dowden for her new post.
As part of the reshuffling, John Whittingdale—who oversaw the gambling industry in the U.K.—has been removed from his post as the Minister for Media and Data within the DCMS. Whittingdale replaced Nigel Huddleston earlier this year, taking over as head of gambling and lotteries.
Critics charged that Whittingdale may have been too cozy to the industry when he served in Parliament.
Chris Philp replaced Whittingdale as new Gambling Minister. Philp campaigned for stricter regulation of fixed-odds betting terminals before the 2019 implementation of the £2 (US$2.74) stake limit.
He will serve under Dorries, according to SBCNews.
“I welcome Chris Philp as the new minister responsible for gambling. He comes to the brief with an excellent reputation as a talented and extremely capable minister,” Dugher said.
Meanwhile, Dorries becomes the tenth MP to serve as Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport since 2010 under the Conservative government, according to SBCNews.
Though considered one of the Conservative Party’s most vocal ministers, little is known of Dorries opinions on the gambling sector. Dorries last vote on gambling reforms was recorded in 2014, when she voted against giving local councils powers to prevent the proliferation of fixed odds betting terminals and betting shops.
In other gambling reforms, a major overhaul of gambling advanced when the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements Bill entered the Northern Ireland Assembly. The initial phase centers on land-based operations. If approved by the Stormont, the bill will represent the most significant change to gambling in 35 years, according to SBCNews.
Operators were warned to be ready for major changes in legislation after the appointment of Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to oversee the revamp of laws.
One proposed change will let betting shops and bingo clubs open Sundays and bank holidays, including Good Friday. Also, a levy, similar to the betting levy in Great Britain, expects to be introduced, with money earmarked for responsible gambling initiatives, treatment of problem gambling and other community programs.
A code of practice will be upgraded to ensure gambling is not just fair but protects those under 18 and assists those impacted by gambling problems.
It will be an offense for any licensed operator or hospitality venue to permit those under 18 to use their products. What counts as cheating will expand to include attempted cheating on any betting, casino, or lottery product.
“Gambling legislation has remained largely unchanged,” Hargey said. “As a result, gambling regulation here has not kept pace with industry and technological changes.”
