The UK’s Betting and Gaming Council has congratulated Michelle Donelan on becoming the new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Donelan was appointed to the role on September 6 by incoming prime minister Liz Truss.

BGC chief executive Michal Dugher stated her reappointment to the Cabinet was “well-deserved” and encouraged the new DCMS secretary to continue engagement with the industry to “find the right balance” in the forthcoming Gambling Review. 

“On behalf of the 119,000 people whose jobs are supported by our members (…) I’d like to congratulate Michelle Donelan on her new role,” Dugher wrote. “Our industry generates GP 4.5 billion in taxes for the Treasury and contributes GBP 7.7 billion for the economy in gross value added,” he pointed out. 

Congratulations to @michelledonelan on her appointment as Secretary of State for @DCMS 👏👏👏
The BGC and our members look forward to engaging with her and her team as we drive big changes in the regulated betting & gaming sector #reshuffle https://t.co/4xxWrkIaOU

— Betting and Gaming Council (@BetGameCouncil) September 6, 2022

He also expressed that, after years of working closely with the DCMS on striking “the right balance” in the upcoming Gambling Review, the Council continues “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.”

The BGC was established in 2019 and represents over 90% of retail betting shops, online betting and gaming operators, casinos and bingo operators. “As the single industry body, we work with our members, large and small, to raise standards, create a culture of safer gambling and build public and institutional trust in our world-class industry,” the BGC says.

Michael Dugher

Donelan worked as Minister of State for Higher and Further Education from February 2020 to July 2022. She was then promoted by former prime minister Boris Johnson to education secretary, but resigned 36 hours later in the days prior to Johnson’s step down from his role. 

The new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has been described by local media as a gambling industry critic, having backed stake limits for fixed odds betting terminals and supported restrictions on gambling advertising. Her appointment comes amid the pending publication of the long-delayed gambling white paper.

Ministers first announced in December 2020 that they were reviewing gambling laws, including sports sponsorship, but have delayed the white paper four times. The latest delay was confirmed after Boris Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister.