Presuming that it will be a Labour government in power after UK's general election on July 4, Bacta is hoping that the new minister responsible for gambling will be one of the two women already with a working knowledge of the industry.
Source: Copyright/Credit: UK Parliament
They are Thangam Debbonaire (pictured) and Steph Peacock; either of them may – or may not – be the Culture Secretary and therefore a Cabinet member, or the Gambling Minister.
Bacta president John Bollom said that “We’ve met and know them well; there is no guarantee that they will get these jobs, but if they do it would be very helpful for us as they know our sector and our issues.”
He said the new ministers will be briefed by civil servants on a range of issues, of which gambling is only one. It will then be up to them to take the decsions on all of the gambling reforms currently stalled by the election. Little could happen before September.
The association is encouraging members to get in touch with their new MPs and invite them into their businesses as a preparation for whatever the new minister decides to do.
