BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said Ms Dorries’s appointment to the Cabinet was “well-deserved” and added it was “vital” that the Government’s ongoing Gambling Review must continue to be an “evidence-led” process.
Mr Dugher also paid tribute to outgoing Secretary of State, Oliver Dowden, as well as John Whittingdale, the minister who had been leading the Gambling Review and who has now returned to the backbenches.
Departmental responsibilities in the DCMS have yet to be finalised, so the BGC is awaiting details on who will head up the Review following Mr Whittingdale’s departure.
Michael Dugher said: “On behalf of the 119,000 people whose jobs are supported by our members – from the high street to hospitality, from tourism to tech – I’d like to congratulate Nadine Dorries on her well-deserved promotion as Secretary of State for DCMS.
“This is an important time for our industry, which generates £4.5bn in taxes for the Treasury and contributes £7.7bn for the economy in gross value added.
“We have been working extremely closely with the DCMS over very many months to help the Government find the right balance in the Gambling Review, so that we continue to drive big changes and higher standards on safer gambling to better protect the most vulnerable, whilst at the same time ensuring that the millions of people who enjoy an occasional flutter perfectly safely and responsibly have the freedom to do so. It is vital the Government continues with it’s evidence-led approach.
“We also want to play our part in helping Britain to build back better from the pandemic, as shown by our support for the Government’s Plan For Jobs.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to John Whittingdale, the outgoing minister who was leading on the Review, for his willingness to engage with the industry. I’d like to thank the outgoing Secretary of State, Oliver Dowden, for his support, especially when so much of our sector was closed during the Covid lockdowns. I wish Oliver all the very best in his new important role at the Cabinet Office.”
