The Betting and Gaming Council has released a statement welcoming Vicky Foxcroft MP’s appointment as the new minister responsible for gambling in the UK.
However, no official announcement has been made by the government or the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Foxcroft has not confirmed any appointments on her social media pages.
SBC News contacted DCMS for clarity on the appointment, with the situation remaining unconfirmed at the time of publication.
Foxcroft replaces Baroness Fiona Twycross, who had drawn criticism from gambling campaigners but was regarded by industry insiders as someone they could work with constructively.
Baroness Twycross was handed a new role in the Cabinet Office as part of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government reshuffle, clearing the way for Foxcroft to take on the gambling brief.
BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst paid tribute to the outgoing minister, saying: “I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to Baroness Fiona Twycross for the thoughtful, open and constructive way she engaged with our industry throughout her time as Minister responsible for gambling.”
Hurst added that Twycross “made a genuine effort to understand our members, taking the time to meet staff and visit venues across the country to see first-hand the industry’s important contribution to jobs, investment, local economies and British sport.”
The BGC has called on the incoming minister to ensure future gambling policy is evidence-led, proportionate, and mindful of the regulatory measures already introduced following the Gambling White Paper.
The trade body also renewed its call for the UK government to take decisive action against the black market, a recurring concern raised by the industry in recent months.
Foxcroft’s record indicates she has taken a keen interest in gambling regulation, having signed an Early Day Motion from Dawn Butler MP in October 2025 calling for abolition of the “aim to permit” principle in the Gambling Act.
That position now aligns with Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announced plans to remove the clause from retail licensing decisions, potentially signalling a smoother working relationship between the minister and the government’s broader agenda.
Following the 2021 collapse of Football Index, Foxcroft had called for gambling law to be viewed through a public health lens, signalling long-standing concern for consumer protection.
The BGC expressed enthusiasm about working with Foxcroft, pointing to her history of advocating for a balanced regulatory approach that safeguards vulnerable people while allowing adults to gamble responsibly.
