Vicky Foxcroft Named Britain’s New Gambling Minister

Vicky Foxcroft MP has been appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state for Museums, Heritage, Gambling and Lords Minister and will now be responsible for the oversight of gambling policy within the British government. 

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She takes over from Baroness Twycross, who had held the position since 2024.

Foxcroft has represented her constituency in Parliament since 2015. She previously served as shadow minister for DCMS in 2019, a role in which she backed a number of strict gambling reform proposals, including publicly stating that she supported a ban on gambling advertising in live sports.

A huge problem gambling advocate takes the helm

Foxcroft’s track record shows she has long pushed for tougher rules around gambling. As MP for Lewisham North, she backed an early day motion in June 2025 calling for “high street gambling reform,” which raised concerns about councils lacking the power to stop new betting shops in already saturated areas. 

The motion also framed gambling as a public health issue, highlighting the risks posed to vulnerable communities.

Her appointment comes just days after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a reversal of the “aim to permit” rule, giving local authorities more scope to reject applications for gambling and vape shops, iGB reports.

Foxcroft herself has described problem gambling as an “epidemic” and has repeatedly urged government to act. In 2018 she pressed for a ban on betting with credit cards and called for banks to block online transactions for those struggling with addiction.

The incoming minister has also spoken in favour of banning gambling advertising during live sports and supported the statutory levy introduced in November 2024. That levy requires operators to contribute between 0.2% and 1.1% of their annual gross gambling yield to fund research and prevention programs.

With her history of reform advocacy, Foxcroft’s appointment signals a continuation of efforts to tighten controls and place consumer protection at the center of gambling policy.

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BGC says it looks forward to working with Foxcroft

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has welcomed Vicky Foxcroft’s appointment as the minister responsible for gambling, saying it is eager to work with her “constructively” on future policy.

In its statement, the Council praised her past support for “a balanced, evidence-led approach” to regulation, one that protects vulnerable groups, especially children and young people, while still allowing adults to gamble safely.

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.”

Hurst added that future policy must 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.” 

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

The Council 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 staff, and saw first-hand the sector’s contribution to jobs, tourism and local economies.

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