Gambling white paper to be delayed amid political turmoil as Johnson resigns

Ministers said on Thursday they plan to publish the gambling review white paper "in the coming weeks", although a delay is still expected due to the turmoil surrounding the government caused by the resignation of prime minister Boris Johnson.

Johnson announced his decision to stand down as Conservative Party leader on Thursday lunchtime, although he plans to continue as prime minister until his successor is appointed.

Johnson said: "It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister, and I have agreed with Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of our backbench MPs, that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week.

"I have today appointed a cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place."

Ben Wallace is the 11-4 favourite to replace Johnson, with former chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak next in the market at 4-1. Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss, Sajid Javid and Tom Tugendhat are the others listed at 10-1 or shorter.

Time is running short for the white paper to be published before parliament's summer recess, due to start on July 22, when no business is conducted in the House of Commons, and the government's proposals may now not appear until parliament returns after its break.

The long-delayed white paper, which will set out the government's plans for reform of gambling legislation, is with Number 10 waiting for final approval according to former gambling minister Chris Philp, who joined the torrent of ministerial resignations on Thursday.

Ministers were asked when the gambling review would be published during questions for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the House of Commons on Thursday morning.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: "It remains a priority of the department and we will publish a white paper setting out conclusions and a vision for the sector in the coming weeks."

Chris Philp: resigned as gambling minister on Thursday

Huddleston was asked by Labour MP Gerald Jones if reforms including a statutory levy on operators to fund research and treatment of problem gambling, online stake limits, affordability assessments and advertising controls would be included in the white paper.

He replied: "The review was comprehensive and covered many, if not all, of the areas he mentioned. I will just ask him to be slightly patient because we will be responding to the review in due course."

The white paper is set to contain plans to bring in controversial affordability checks on bettors, an area of concern for punters and the British racing industry, with fears the most hardline proposals advocated by campaigners could reduce the sport's revenues by tens of millions of pounds.

The Racing Post understands that a proposal contained in the white paper places the threshold for enhanced checks at a net loss of £2,000 over a 90-day period.

However, the Gambling Commission has already been accused of ramping up intrusive affordability checks for punters without having the necessary mandate.

Laurence Robertson MP, whose Tewkesbury constituency includes Cheltenham racecourse, asked Huddleston if the white paper made clear who would be responsible for affordability checks.

"Will it be the government or will it be the Gambling Commission?" he asked.

Huddleston replied: "Again I can't pre-empt the conclusions of the review but he's making an important point and I say this is something the secretary of state in particular is very aware of and we will be communicating more in due course. The point of affordability is a really important one."

The gambling review was launched in December 2020 with the aim of updating gambling legislation to make it "fit for the digital age".

Reports in recent weeks have led campaigners to claim the white paper is being watered down.

Philp pointed to the white paper in his resignation letter, writing: "The gambling review is with No 10 at the moment for final approval, containing strong measures to protect people from the ravages of gambling addiction.

"I have met with the families of those who have committed suicide as a result of gambling addiction, and I strongly urge you to deliver the review in full and undiluted."

The Racing Post also understands that ministers intend to bring forward the timing of a review of the levy system to this autumn.

A spokesman for the BHA said: "We await publication of the government's Gambling Act review white paper with interest, and will not comment on speculation on its content prior to publication.

"Throughout the last 18 months, British racing has made significant representations to ministers and officials on our agreed policy objectives, including that the Gambling Act review should avoid unintended consequences for our industry, and that the rate review of the horserace betting levy should be accelerated."

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