In the United Kingdom and the head of the influential Betting and Gaming Council lobby group has reportedly called on new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (pictured) to deliver ‘sensible, proportionate and carefully targeted’ changes to the nation’s guiding Gambling Act of 2005.
According to a report from a source, 42-year-old Sunak became the United Kingdom’s third Prime Minister in just seven weeks earlier today and is now facing a series of daunting challenges that range from an existing cost-of-living crisis and soaring inflation to political instability and simmering industrial unrest. The Conservative politician is also purportedly set to be tasked with finishing the ‘white paper’ review into the nation’s iGaming scene that was initiated by former Prime Minister Theresa May way back in 2019.
Distinct disruption:
The British government’s final recommendations on how to make the domestic online gambling market safer and more responsible via changes to the Gambling Act of 2005 have so far been shelved four times as the country has lurched between political crises that have seen a succession of Prime Ministers come and go. Sunak is just the latest in this line and will now be hoping to stay in office for longer than the 50 days of predecessor Liz Truss so as to be able to help finish the ‘white paper’ review.
Individual insight:
For its part and the Betting and Gaming Council represents approximately 90% of British gaming, sportsbetting, casino and bingo operators including behemoths such as William Hill, Entain and Flutter Entertainment. The Chief Executive Officer for the London-headquartered group, Michael Dugher, reportedly used an official press release to welcome Sunak to the country’s highest political office while additionally noting that the politician recognizes the importance of the betting sector because his North Yorkshire constituency includes Catterick Racecourse.
Reportedly read a statement from Dugher…
“The Betting and Gaming Council warmly welcomes the appointment of Rishi Sunak. As the Catterick MP, Rishi has always shown himself to be a very strong supporter of British horseracing and he knows only too well the symbiotic relationship between the regulated betting industry and racing.”
Financial faculty:
Dugher reportedly went further in asserting that Sunak’s 29 months serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer means that he should be well versed in the economic and tax importance of the domestic gambling sector. The former parliamentarian purportedly proclaimed that this industry furthermore provides ‘vital support to many other sports’ such as rugby league, snooker and darts and is now ‘ready to help our new Prime Minister rebuild and grow’ the country’s faltering economy.
Dugher’s statement reportedly read…
“Our members contribute £7.7 billion ($8.8 billion) to the economy of the United Kingdom including £4.5 billion ($5.1 billion) in tax as well as sustaining nearly 120,000 jobs, which is something our new Prime Minister and his team fully understand from their time running the Treasury.”
Pensive plea:
With all of this in mind and Dugher reportedly called on Southampton-born Sunak to advocate for ‘sensible’ reforms to the Gambling Act of 2005 that would simultaneously avoid seriously impacting those who offer and enjoy responsible gambling entertainment.
The statement from Dugher reportedly read…
“We also hope the new administration makes speedy progress on a sensible, proportionate and carefully targeted gambling ‘white paper’. One that helps to further improve standards and protect the vulnerable whilst safeguarding jobs, investment and sport all while not spoiling the enjoyment of the overwhelming majority of punters who bet safely and responsibly.”