Betting and Gaming Council backs UK gambling minister after key reforms

The United Kingdom’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has thrown its support behind Britain’s gambling minister, Baroness Fiona Twycross, following her speech at the group’s AGM.

The minister acknowledged the industry’s economic contributions through tax revenues and job creation at Thursday’s (Feb. 27) meeting. However, she made it clear that growth and responsibility must go hand in hand. She also announced several key reforms during her statement.

She said: “In my short time in post, I have seen the value this sector brings. Not just in tax receipts and jobs created, but as a leisure activity, for example through a day at the races, enjoying a game of bingo, or time spent in a seaside arcade.”

"A growing gambling sector is compatible with creating an even safer one" – Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross at the BGC AGM. We welcome her recognition of the industry’s economic contribution and commitment to safer gambling.https://t.co/hOJsTG07LS pic.twitter.com/uS4hcaoD6N

— Betting and Gaming Council (@BetGameCouncil) February 28, 2025

“I want a gambling sector in this country that is one we can be proud of – one that offers good jobs, interesting careers, brings social value, and is one that people enjoy while having vital protections in place,” she stated.

She then reinforced the government’s commitment to reducing harmful gambling while working in partnership with licensed operators to ensure a safe and regulated market, adding, “I want to work with you to see a safer, more responsible gambling industry.”

Baroness Twycross also mentioned progress on key policies, including the introduction of a statutory gambling levy.

Parliament has now approved the legislation, and it will officially come into force on April 6, with operators required to make their first payments by October 1. While acknowledging the BGC’s past contributions through a voluntary levy, she stressed that the new system would provide long-term funding certainty for research, prevention, and treatment of gambling harm.

Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross today addressed @BetGameCouncil AGM to reiterate how the industry can offer good jobs and bring social value, while improving protections for those at risk of harmhttps://t.co/cUXIzY8kxT pic.twitter.com/wX7A72iMgp

— Department for Culture, Media and Sport (@DCMS) February 27, 2025

She confirmed the long-anticipated online slots stake limits, including a £5 stake limit for most players that will take effect on April 9 and a £2 stake limit for younger adults (18-24 years old), which will be implemented on May 21.

Beyond online gambling, the minister announced long-awaited reforms for land-based casinos. Casinos will soon be able to offer up to 80 gaming machines, aligning with small 2005 Act casinos. Meanwhile, a sliding scale of entitlements will allow smaller casinos to benefit proportionally.

Sports betting will be permitted in all casinos, creating new opportunities for operators.

“These changes will unlock investment in the casino sector and should provide an economic boost for both operators and machine manufacturers,” she said, adding that the government is working swiftly to lay the necessary legislation in Parliament.

However, she urged operators to be proactive in assessing the impact of gambling ads, particularly on vulnerable individuals and young people.

She said: “I have tasked the industry with doing more to work together to ensure gambling advertising and sponsorship is appropriate, responsible, and does not exacerbate harm.”

The Crime and Policing Bill will grant the Gambling Commission new powers to shut down illegal gambling websites more effectively by blocking their IP addresses and domain names.

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