Mixed reaction as minister John Whittingdale takes over gambling brief

John Whittingdale MP has taken over ministerial responsibility for gambling and lotteries and will now oversee the government's gambling review.

Along with gambling, Whittingdale will also have lead responsibility for horseracing, the brief having previously been held by Nigel Huddleston.

It is understood the switch has been made due to the sheer size of Huddleston's workload, with sport, tourism and heritage seen as important areas in the recovery effort from the effects of Covid-19 and also the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham coming up next year.

Whittingdale, a former culture secretary who became minister for media and data at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport last year, will now also take on responsibility for the government's review of the 2005 Gambling Act which was launched in December with a call for evidence which closes at the end of this month.

Michael Dugher: welcomed Whittingdale to his new role

He was welcomed to his new role by Betting and Gaming Council chief executive Michael Dugher who said: "John commands huge respect and he is a formidable politician who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. The BGC represents the bulk of the regulated sector – from high street betting shops, casinos, online gaming and bingo – and we look forward to working with him.

"This is an uncertain time for many of the more than 100,000 people who work in the industry as we navigate the sector safely out of the Covid restrictions. Our industry wants to play a full part in helping kickstart the economy, supporting jobs and growth, and contributing to the exchequer.

"The BGC has warmly welcomed the government’s gambling review, which is a golden opportunity to build on the work we have already done on raising standards, promoting safer gambling and driving big changes across the industry. We know how important that work is to the DCMS."

The news was not so well received among the gambling industry's critics in parliament.

SNP MP Ronnie Cowan, vice-chair of the Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group, tweeted of Whittingdale: "When he was appointed to DCMS back in 2015 it was widely predicted that he would be soft on gambling and he was. While the Gambling Act is under review I would have hoped for someone who was at least open-minded."

Although Whittingdale's brief now includes racing, there will be a crossover with Huddleston in terms of racing's part in sport's wider recovery from Covid-19, such as the return of spectators.

Comment: Return of familiar figure may have industry breathing easier

John Whittingdale's new role appears to be regarded as a boost for the gambling industry, certainly judged by the concern it has caused among its most outspoken critics.

Whittingdale, who was secretary of state for the culture department between May 2015 and July 2016, is no stranger to the industry, which is perhaps why he has taken over responsibility for the issue rather than someone with no experience being parachuted in.

His dealings with the industry are also probably the reason why campaigners for gambling reform have not taken the news very well.

Whittingdale's public utterances have been largely favourable to the sector, while his voting record on gambling matters also suggests he prefers light-touch regulation.

His presence does not necessarily mean the government's gambling review will be any less rigorous – and the DCMS has said he fully supports an evidence-based review – but the industry may feel a little more optimistic about its prospects.

That might also be the case for racing given its concerns about the prospect of affordability checks for online bettors raised by the Gambling Commission's recently closed consultation.

It would be difficult to portray Whittingdale as an interventionist or as someone who would be likely to be comfortable with the idea of customers having to provide details such as bank statements to prove they can afford to gamble.

However, much will depend on whether the affordability issue is absorbed into the gambling review or whether the Gambling Commission takes action independently, which is within its powers to do.

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