Bacta encouraged by Gambling Minister support for White Paper

The UK’s Minister for Gambling, Baroness Twycross, has provided the clearest indication yet that the industry will not have too long a wait before the proposals on gambling reform contained in the White Paper are implemented.

Speaking at the Labour Party Conference Baroness Twycross underlined the cross-party support that the White Paper enjoyed before it was side-lined by the snap general election. She said: “In opposition we (the Labour Party) were broadly supportive of the Gambling White Paper and we do not believe that gambling is wrong in and of itself and we do recognise that most people who gamble do so safely but we absolutely believe that we need to strengthen protections to protect those that are at risk of gambling addiction and of harmful gambling.”

Answering a question from the floor she stated: “I am clear that people have been waiting for things to proceed for some time and I know from Civil Servants that they have some things that have been ready to go for a long time.

“It would be wrong for me to not speak to those involved in the sector before proceeding but I am clear that this will not be years of conversation before we start outlining the direction of travel, that this is something that is my absolute priority as a new Government Minister.”

George McGregor, Executive Director (Government Relations) at UK trade association Bacta, who attended the Labour Party Conference alongside Bacta President John Bollom was encouraged by what the Minister had to say. He stated: “This was the first occasion that the Minister had spoken about the gambling brief. Her reference points in terms of the timetable for implementation were weeks and months and the feeling in the room was that we have a Minister who is both pragmatic and proportionate.”

He continued: “Bacta’s contributions to the White Paper were all evidence-based and I am confident that our arguments including the commitments to safer gambling and our ability to contribute to the government’s growth agenda will resonate with the Minister. I am looking forward to developing further our social and economic case when we meet with Baroness Twycross on 3 October.”