What to expect from the new head of the DCMS
Remote Gambling Association, GambleAware and Senet Group respond to the appointment of Jeremy Wright
Matt Hancock has left his job at the DCMS to take up a similar role in charge of the Department of Health.
It follows a frenetic 48-hour period in political circles which began with the resignation of David Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU on Sunday, and the cabinet reshuffle that followed led to many ministers and secretaries being moved and replaced.
So what legacy does Matt Hancock leave at the DCMS and what challenges lie in wait for his successor, Jeremy Wright?
Clive Hawkswood, CEO of the Remote Gambling Association
“The new Secretary of State is something of an unknown quantity and appears to have had little interest previously in gambling-related issues so hopefully he will come at the subject without any preconceived ideas.
“However, the wider industry now needs a period of stability following the protracted debate around FOBTs and the triennial review process and I would expect him to leave Tracey Crouch to lead on the agreed reforms.”
Marc Etches, CEO of GambleAware,
“This reshuffle offers the opportunity for Matt Hancock to take what he has learnt about gambling-related harms while at DCMS and apply it to his new role in health. There is an urgent need for the issue to be considered as part of the wider public health agenda, and for people facing more complex problem gambling conditions to be treated through the NHS.
“Jeremy Hunt recently visited the National Problem Gambling Clinic and intended to host a round-table meeting on the subject, so we hope Matt will add to this momentum, and seek to apply a joined-up approach to addressing the human and financial costs of excessive gambling across government.”
Gillian Wilmot, chairman of the Senet Group
“With the appointment of a new Secretary of State, the gambling industry has been given another opportunity to come together and present government with some bold proposals for tackling gambling-related harm.
“It is only through a constructive partnership between industry and government that we will protect vulnerable groups while preserving the rights of millions to enjoy gambling safely every year.”
Dan Waugh, partner, Regulus Partners
“From a gambling policy perspective Matt Hancock will probably be best-remembered for bringing the FOBT review to a conclusion of sorts.
“Upon taking the post in 2017, it had been suggested that his affiliation with racing would help the betting sector; but that has not been the case. He appears to have provided strong support for his minister, Tracey Crouch and – if press reports are true – to stand up to HM Treasury on social policy.
“Jeremy Wright has had little to do with gambling in his 13 years in Parliament – but he arrives at a particularly interesting time. The FOBT issue refuses to go quietly and there is a growing list of gambling policy matters to resolve.
“The last Culture Secretary to engage extensively with gambling was the late Dame Tessa Jowell at the time of the Gambling Act; so going on recent form it seems likely that Wright will let Crouch continue to shoulder the weight in this area.”
Steve Donoughue, CEO, GamblingConsultant.co.uk
“Not for the first time we have a Secretary of State who appears to have little interest in gambling. His voting record shows nothing apart from voting with the whip. Jeremy Wright QC MP has a history in the law, being both a barrister and having been Attorney General. It is probably this politically agnostic background that has got him the post as Teresa May needed a safe pair of hands to fill Matt Hancock’s place as he rises up the greasy pole to Health and Social Care.
“Unlike Hancock, Wright’s constituency of has no racing connection, but is mostly rural and he has a whopping majority of 18,086. So, what can we expect, unfortunately more of the same as the regulatory ratchet continues to be tightened as the Gambling Commission maintains its tanks on the industry’s lawn and the Gambling Minister, Tracey Crouch MP spends more time on loneliness.
“History suggests that it is only when Ministers have a personal interest that the dial really moves one way or the other. Maybe we missed a bullet with Hancock going as he was a fully signed up member of the delusional horseracing lobby who think the bookies are parasites. Hopefully Wright’s legal training will mean he will demand evidence before more of the industry is destroyed.”