New Gambling Minister - Baroness Twycross

Fiona Twycross has been appointed as the UK's gambling minister following Labour's recent general election victory, marking a shift in responsibilities within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This new role emphasizes the importance of the gambling sector by assigning a dedicated minister to oversee it.

Baroness Twycross, now a member of the House of Lords, previously served on the London Assembly from 2012 to 2020 and was London’s first deputy mayor for fire and resilience under Mayor Sadiq Khan. Before her political career, Twycross worked at Diabetes UK. She holds a degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in contemporary Scandinavian literature, along with a qualification in Public Policy and Management from Birkbeck, University of London.

This appointment signals an early restructuring within the DCMS, establishing a specific role for gambling. Initially, Stephanie Peacock, the Labour MP for Barnsley South, had been named parliamentary under-secretary of state for sport, gambling, and civil society, as well as minister for equalities under the new Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy. Peacock was considered the most likely candidate for gambling policy, having shadowed Stuart Andrew during Labour’s time in opposition.

However, Peacock is now the minister for sport, media, civil society, and youth, while the responsibility for gambling has been assigned to Twycross. The DCMS team is rounded out by Sir Chris Bryant MP, who has been appointed minister for creative industries, arts, and tourism.

John Bollom, President of bacta said, "We have written to Baroness Twycross seeking an early meeting and emphasising the importance of implementing the full package of land-based gambling reforms paused because of the snap General Election."

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1 August 2024

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