Summary:
Bacta, the UK’s gambling industry body, said that the gambling sector needs reform and a regulatory framework that is fit for purpose. Bacta wrote a letter to the DCMS Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Frazer, asking him to discuss the next steps for the review.
White wrote a letter to Frazer detailing what Bacta thinks are the top priorities for discussion.
The gambling sector needs reform and a regulatory framework that is fit for purpose, according to him.
The Gambling Act review needs to be brought about with no further delays because of the necessity of collaboration between Bacta and DCMS.
White stated that Bacta had been encouraged by recent implications that the review and its attached white paper were imminent. He invited Frazer to discuss the next steps for the review, as the trade group is aware that the latest departmental reshuffle could once again impact the timelines. The white paper setting out the government’s plans for reform of the gambling industry in Great Britain was expected to be published this month.
The relationship between Bacta and the government would be ensured by this collaboration, he said, noting that Bacta established positive relationships with both the culture secretary and the gambling minister during their tenures.
The new DCMS has new leadership
On February 7th, Frazer was appointed to the slimmed-down DCMS. Donelan was appointed to lead the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Last week, he was moved to the role of junior minister at the DSIT. He was appointed as gambling minister in October of last year.
Like Donelan’s appointment before, it was brought about by former prime minister Liz Truss’ assignment to office, and this time it was Frazer who was chosen by the current prime minister.
Donelan was allowed to keep her position during the first round of Sunak’s cabinet shuffles.
The white paper on the Gambling Act has been delayed
The Gambling Act review and the white paper that would spell out the reforms have been delayed several times because of the changes in parliament.
The white paper was supposed to be ready in July, but it was thrown into disarray after former gambling minister Chris Philp and then-prime minister Boris Johnson stepped down.
The review was not hopeful after the prime minster resigned just 44 days into her new role.