BGC welcomes Nadine Dorries appointment as Secretary of State

The gaming industry group has welcomed the appointment of Nadine Dorries as the UK government’s secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports.

UK.- The gaming industry group, Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has welcomed Nadine Dorries’ appointment as the secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in the UK government’s cabinet reshuffle.

Dorries replaces Oliver Dowden at the helm of the government department that has responsibly for the gambling sector, including oversight of the national regulator, the Gambling Commission. The role will see her take over control of the ongoing review of British gambling legislation.

Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, said: “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 Nadine Dorries on her well-deserved promotion as secretary of state for DCMS. 

Dugher also expressed the BGC’s hope that the ongoing review of gambling legislation will be conducted using an “evidence-led approach”.

He said: “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, 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. 

“It is vital the government continues with its evidence-led approach.”

The UK government’s cabinet reshuffle also removed DCMS minister for media and data John Whittingdale, who had direct responsibility for the gambling industry.

He had been seen as supportive of the gambling industry, and had supported the Betting and Gaming Council’s arguments against further restrictions on gambling advertising.

A replacement for Whittingdale has not been named yet.