BGC CEO keen to work with Labour DCMS duo to implement white paper changes

Michael Dugher, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) CEO and acting chair, has welcomed the appointments of Lisa Nandy as secretary of state for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) alongside Stephanie Peacock as the new gambling minister.

Both Nandy and Peacock were appointed to their respective roles when Labour won the general election at the start of July.

The pair’s remit, among a host of other tasks, will include overseeing the regulation of the gambling sector and the efforts to implement changes put forward in the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto included just 37 words on gambling ahead of the election, as the party won 412 seats while the Conservatives suffered their heaviest-ever defeat.

Dugher, a Labour MP between 2010 and 2017, spoke highly of the duo and said he looked forward to working with them as the BGC looks to raise “standards on safer betting and gaming”. 

He added: “I am delighted to welcome Lisa Nandy to her new position as secretary of state.

“She has hit the ground running and, on a personal note, can I welcome her particular support to ensure DCMS supports working class communities across the country. 

“Betting has long been a part of working class culture for many people – from bingo halls to betting shops – and our mission critical support for great traditionally working class sports like rugby league, darts, snooker and lower league football is well known.”

Dugher continued: “I would also like to congratulate Steph Peacock on her new role as minister for sport, gambling and civil society, who joins Lisa Nandy MP in DCMS.

“Steph already has a deep knowledge of our sector and sport, having been shadow minister for over a year, and I look forward to continuing working together.

“Both Lisa and Steph bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, backed by Labour’s welcome commitment to work with the industry. I would like to assure them both, they will have the full support and backing of this sector as we work together to drive economic growth and continue raising standards on safer betting and gaming.”

Peacock spoke at this year’s BGC AGM in which she said she was aware the industry was “vital for the economy”.

She has not voted on any gambling-related matters during her time as an MP, having joined the House of Commons in 2017.

However, the Barnsley South MP has also made 13 spoken contributions on gambling topics including the debate on the collapse of Football Index in April 2024, a Westminster debate on advertising by betting operators and, in February, she was present for the debate on financial risk checks.

Peacock has also been handed hospitality tickets to major sporting events from both the BGC and the Arena Racing Company, as per the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.

Nandy, whose Wigan constituency is home to the Tote Group, was an advocate for greater controls on fixed-odds betting terminals a decade ago.

Dugher also commented on the ongoing process following last year’s publication of the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review.

The BGC chair said the organisation and its members were committed to working alongside the new Labour government to implement regulatory changes.

He said: “BGC members are currently in the midst of the biggest regulatory changes in a generation following the publication of the white paper, which Labour backed, and much of this work carries on now the election has been completed.

“The BGC and our members remain committed to working with Labour to implement the evidence-based, proportionate, regulatory changes outlined in the white paper, ensuring those measures get the balance right between protecting the vulnerable, while allowing the vast majority of punters who enjoy betting responsibly to continue doing so without unnecessary intrusion.”