Vicky Foxcroft Named Britain’s New Gambling Minister

Key Points

• Vicky Foxcroft MP has replaced Baroness Fiona Twycross as Britain’s new gambling minister.
• Foxcroft will be parliamentary under-secretary of state for Museums, Heritage, Gambling and Lords Minister, where she will be responsible for gambling policy.
• The Lewisham North MP has been in office since 2015, and was previously the shadow minister for DCMS in 2019.
• She has always been a strong opponent of lesser gambling regulation, such as advertising credit card gaming in live sports or outlawing gambling advertising in live sports.
• Foxcroft held the Cross-Genre Commission for Gambling Harms, a June 2025 early day motion to reform gambling on our high streets, which he called a public health problem.
• She has been appointed following a change in the “aim to permit” rule by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, which allows councils to turn down new betting shop applications.
• She was greeted with approval by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which said it would work “constructively” on evidence-based, proportionate regulation.
• Grainne Hurst, chief executive of BGC, emphasised the importance of the industry’s contribution of 109,000 jobs and billions to the economy.
• The illegal gambling black market is another issue that needs to be addressed, Hurst added.
• Baroness Twycross, who is stepping down from her post, was thanked for her “thoughtful, open and constructive” involvement with the sector.

Lewisham (Britain Today News) August 12, 2026 — Vicky Foxcroft MP has been appointed as the UK’s new gambling minister, taking on responsibility for gambling policy within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The announcement comes on 12 August 2026, marking a significant shift in the government’s approach to gambling regulation.

Foxcroft, who has served as the MP for Lewisham North since 2015, replaces Baroness Fiona Twycross, who has held the position since 2024. Her appointment signals a continuation of efforts to strengthen consumer protection and tighten controls around gambling activities across the UK.

What Role Will Vicky Foxcroft Play as Gambling Minister?

Vicky Foxcroft has been appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state for Museums, Heritage, Gambling and Lords Minister. In this capacity, she will oversee gambling policy, including regulatory reforms, consumer protection measures, and the implementation of the statutory gambling levy introduced in November 2024.

As reported by the Racing Post, while there has been no official confirmation from DCMS regarding the full scope of her portfolio, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has publicly welcomed her appointment.

Why Was Vicky Foxcroft Chosen for This Role?

Foxcroft’s track record as a vocal advocate for gambling reform made her a natural choice for the role. During her time as shadow minister for DCMS in 2019, she supported several strict gambling reform proposals, including a ban on gambling advertising during live sports broadcasts.

In 2018, she called for a ban on betting with credit cards and urged banks to block online transactions for individuals struggling with gambling addiction. Her consistent framing of problem gambling as an “epidemic” underscores her commitment to public health-focused policy.

How Has Foxcroft Advocated for Gambling Reform in the Past?

Foxcroft’s advocacy for gambling reform dates back over a decade. In June 2025, she backed an early day motion calling for “high street gambling reform,” which highlighted concerns about local authorities lacking the power to prevent new betting shops from opening in already saturated areas.

The motion also framed gambling harm as a growing public health issue, particularly affecting vulnerable communities. This aligns with her broader policy stance that prioritises consumer protection and harm reduction.

What Recent Policy Changes Precede Foxcroft’s Appointment?

Foxcroft’s appointment comes just days after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a reversal of the “aim to permit” rule. This policy change gives local authorities greater discretion to reject applications for new gambling and vape shops, addressing long-standing concerns about the proliferation of betting outlets in certain areas.

As noted by iGB, this move is part of a broader effort to empower councils and reduce the density of gambling premises in communities already facing high levels of gambling-related harm.

What Is the Statutory Gambling Levy and How Does It Work?

The statutory gambling levy, introduced in November 2024, requires licensed gambling operators to contribute between 0.2% and 1.1% of their annual gross gambling yield. These funds are earmarked for research, prevention, and treatment programmes related to gambling harm.

Foxcroft has publicly supported the levy, viewing it as a critical mechanism for ensuring sustainable funding for harm reduction initiatives. The levy is expected to raise approximately £100 million annually, according to government estimates.

How Has the Betting and Gaming Council Responded to Foxcroft’s Appointment?

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has welcomed Foxcroft’s appointment, expressing eagerness to work “constructively” with her on future policy. In a statement, the BGC praised her past support for a “balanced, evidence-led approach” to regulation.

Grainne Hurst, BGC chief executive, stated:

“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.”

What Concerns Has the BGC Raised About Future Regulation?

While welcoming Foxcroft’s appointment, the BGC also emphasised the need for future policy to remain.

“evidence-led, proportionate and fully consider the cumulative impact of regulation and recent tax increases on jobs, investment and the competitiveness of the regulated sector.”

Hurst added that the industry faces challenges from the

“rapidly growing illegal gambling black market, which puts consumers at risk and contributes nothing to the economy or British sport.”

She called for coordinated efforts to tackle this issue while maintaining a robust regulated sector.
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How Did the BGC Honour Outgoing Minister Baroness Twycross?

In its statement, the BGC also paid tribute to outgoing minister Baroness Fiona Twycross, thanking her for her “thoughtful, open and constructive” engagement with the industry. During her tenure, Twycross visited venues across the country, met with staff, and gained first-hand insight into the sector’s contribution to jobs, tourism, and local economies.

Hurst noted:

“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.”

What Challenges Lie Ahead for Foxcroft as Gambling Minister?

Foxcroft faces several key challenges in her new role. These include balancing the need for stricter consumer protections with the economic contributions of the regulated gambling sector, addressing the rise of illegal gambling operations, and ensuring the effective implementation of the statutory levy.

She will also need to navigate ongoing debates around gambling advertising, particularly in live sports, and consider further reforms to high street gambling premises in light of the recent reversal of the “aim to permit” rule.

How Might Foxcroft’s Appointment Affect the Gambling Industry?

Foxcroft’s history of advocating for stricter gambling controls suggests that her tenure may see continued emphasis on harm reduction and consumer protection. However, the BGC’s willingness to engage constructively indicates a potential for collaborative policy development that balances regulation with industry sustainability.

Her appointment is likely to be closely watched by both consumer advocacy groups and industry stakeholders, as her decisions could shape the future landscape of gambling regulation in the UK for years to come.