Paul Scully becomes the fifth government minister to oversee the UK’s Gambling Act review. Scully, the MP for Sutton and Cheam in London, has been appointed to the role following Damian Collins’ exit last week. Standards body the Betting and Gaming Council has congratulated Scully on his appointment, adding that the BGC is ready to work with him “to help find carefully targeted, proportionate measures which achieve the right balance.”
Since 2020, Scully has served as minister for London and will continue to do so while also taking on his new position as undersecretary for tech and digital economy within the Department of Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS). His appointment comes after Collins announced he would be leaving the position last Thursday. In his new role, Scully will oversee gambling, and in particular the long-delayed Gambling Act review.
Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for the DCMS
Paul Scully, who was also previously a Minister of State at the Department for Levelling Up, becomes now the fifth different minister to be in charge of the Gambling Act review and the third minister to hold the position this year. Scully will serve under Michelle Donelan MP, who has been re-appointment as Secretary of State for the DCMS.
Delivering the review of the Gambling Act 2005 will be Scully’s top priority under his new role. The review, which has been in motion since late 2020, aims “to ensure gambling regulation is fit for the digital age.” It has seen numerous delays caused by recent political turmoil in the UK.
BGC’s reaction to the appointment
The UK’s Betting and Gaming Council congratulated Scully on his appointment, with BGC chief executive Michael Dugher also congratulating Michelle Donelan on her re-appointment to the Cabinet. The trade association has encouraged both to continue engagement with the industry “to find the right balance” in the upcoming Gambling Review.
“On behalf of the 119,000 people whose jobs are supported by our members – from the high street to hospitality, from tourism to world-leading British tech – I’d like to congratulate both Paul Scully MP on his new role and Michelle Donelan MP on her re-appointment as Secretary of State for DCMS,” said Dugher. “Our industry generates £4.5bn in taxes for the Treasury and contributes £7.7bn for the economy in gross value added.”
Michael Dugher
The Betting and Gaming Council was established in 2019 and represents over 90% of retail betting shops, online betting and gaming operators, casinos and bingo operators, according to the industry body. Its chief executive also paid tribute to outgoing Gambling Minister Damian Collins for “his willingness to engage with the industry” and for understanding “the contribution we make to the economy.”
“We are ready to work with DCMS to help find carefully targeted, proportionate measures which achieve the right balance,” added Dugher. “We want to continue to drive big changes and drive higher standards on safer gambling to better protect the most vulnerable, whilst at the same time ensuring that the 22.5 million punters who enjoy a flutter each month, perfectly safely and responsibly, have the freedom to do so.”
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2022/10/31/64834-paul-scully-named-uk-39s-new-gambling-minister-third-mp-to-hold-the-position-this-year
