Vicky Foxcroft Named New UK Gambling Minister

Vicky Foxcroft MP is set to become the UK minister responsible for gambling, taking over the brief from Baroness Fiona Twycross at a time of significant regulatory and financial pressure across the sector.

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has welcomed Foxcroft’s appointment and outlined several areas where it expects to engage with the incoming minister. However, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had not formally announced the appointment in the material provided, while Foxcroft had not confirmed the position through her social media accounts.

The Lewisham North MP has served in Parliament for more than a decade and previously worked as a trade union official. Gambling has featured periodically in her policy work, including through her support for reform of high-street licensing and her earlier comments on gambling-related harm.

As reported by NEXT.io, BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said: “I would like to congratulate Vicky Foxcroft MP on her appointment as Minister responsible for gambling.

“We look forward to working with her to champion Britain’s casinos, betting shops and online betting, gaming and bingo businesses – an industry that brings enjoyment to millions of people, sustains 109,000 jobs, contributes billions of pounds to the economy and provides vital funding for some of Britain’s best-loved sports.”

Previous Positions on Gambling Regulation

Foxcroft has already expressed views on two issues that remain relevant to current gambling policy. In October 2025, she signed an Early Day Motion from Dawn Butler MP that called for the abolition of the “aim to permit” licensing principle.

The provision in the Gambling Act has required licensing authorities to approach applications on the basis that legal gambling should generally be permitted where regulatory requirements are met. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has since announced plans to remove the clause, placing Foxcroft’s previous support for the change in line with the government’s current direction on retail gambling licensing.

Foxcroft also set out a broader position on gambling regulation after the collapse of Football Index in 2021, when she argued for greater consideration of gambling-related harm within public health policy.

“I believe the law on gambling should be approached from a public health perspective to protect the vulnerable and particularly children and young people, but to allow others who choose to do so to gamble safely.”

She added: “We need fit-for-purpose, evidence-based regulation that is targeted effectively to reduce gambling-related harm, and that can keep up with the changing nature of gambling online. We must also ensure the right support is in place to tackle the highly serious matter of problem gambling.”

Her arrival comes as operators continue to raise concerns about Financial Risk Assessments. Retail businesses also face uncertainty over potential tax changes affecting gaming machines, with proposals for higher taxation creating concern about possible venue closures.

Twycross Tenure Included Levy and Illegal Gambling Work

Foxcroft is expected to succeed Baroness Fiona Twycross, who oversaw several regulatory developments during her time with the gambling brief.

Among them was the transition to a mandatory statutory gambling levy, one of the measures stemming from the review of the Gambling Act 2005. The change replaced the previous funding structure led by GambleAware, while DCMS maintained that the new system formed part of its work to reduce gambling-related harm.

Twycross also headed the Illegal Gambling Taskforce. Its remit covers efforts to disrupt payments involving black-market businesses and address offshore gambling marketing, together with greater coordination between agencies dealing with illegal remote and land-based activity.

Another issue considered during her tenure concerned sponsorship involving unlicensed gambling operators. A consultation examined whether such companies should be prevented from sponsoring sporting clubs and events in Britain, including within top-flight English football.

The outgoing minister also visited industry businesses in Stoke-on-Trent, Leeds, Liverpool and London, meeting employees and reviewing the sector’s operations and safer gambling measures.

Hurst said: “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.

“She 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, as well as the enjoyment it brings to millions of people.

“She also recognised our members’ commitment to protecting vulnerable people. We have greatly valued her engagement and wish her every success for the future.”

The BGC has called for Foxcroft’s tenure to take account of the regulatory measures already introduced following the Gambling White Paper. The trade body argues that policymakers should assess how those requirements interact with recent tax increases and their effect on employment and investment.