GAMBLING LICENSING
and in addition has been very vocal about his views on the sector – coming down particularly hard on Adult Gaming Centres. Last year, Burnham commented on the letter, saying: “These are high-stakes gambling venues, often open around the clock, targeting some of the most vulnerable in our communities. It’s unacceptable that councils have so little power to regulate them despite repeated concerns from charities and local residents.” Burnham has also been a prominent supporter of efforts to reduce gambling advertising in sport. He backed Greater Manchester’s Against the Odds campaign and has argued that gambling sponsorship has become too normalised in sport, particularly for children and young people. He has also previously called for gambling sponsorship in sport to be relegated to the history books.
NANDY AND NO. 10 NORTH The same day that Burnham took office, it was confirmed that Lisa Nandy will retain her position as head of DCMS, although new leadership’s Gambling Minister has not been formally announced. Under Starmer it was Baroness Twycross, and she has been reappointed to the Department. Her precise ministerial responsibilities have not yet been confirmed, although we expect her to retain responsibility for gambling. She spoke recently on behalf of the Government during
a debate on young people and gambling, which suggests she will continue to play a role in this area.
While Nandy was in office during one of the largest tax hikes the industry has seen since gambling opened in Great Britain in 2005, the DCMS chief has mostly been fairly balanced while in office.
For example, she resisted calls from fellow politicians to use the Football Governance Bill to force English and Welsh football teams to cut ties with betting companies, maintaining that gambling should stay under the Gambling Act.
Nandy’s presence, coupled with the recent severe tax hikes which have already seen a weakened industry further crumble, with high street stalwarts William Hill closing 270 shops across the country.
WHITE PAPER
It has been 3 years since the UK Government published the Gambling Act White Paper in April 2023, the most significant review of gambling legislation since the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005.
36 months down the line, some reforms are already operational, whereas others, particularly those affecting land-based operators, remain subject to ongoing consultation or draft legislation. What plans Mr Burnham has in place for the remaining matters - Bingo licensing
reform, gaming machine technical standards, licensing authority fees, cashless payments and changes to gaming machine limits to name a few - is yet to be seen.
Since becoming Prime Minister last month, Burnham has certainly kept the trade media in a variety of industries guessing, and thus far, the high street hasn’t been his priority. However, some pundits in the sector have queried whether his government could support increased taxation of Adult Gaming Centres and higher-stakes gaming machines. Time will, of course, tell.
While Burnham will have a lot more on his agenda as PM than high street operators, the industry should not look to the Labour leader hopeful as a friend of the sector, and certainly would be well-advised to gird the proverbial in preparation.
ABOUT POPPLESTON ALLEN Poppleston Allen is the largest boutique licensing law firm in the UK. With offices in Nottingham and London, it focuses solely on licensing and hospitality, giving advice in relation to gambling, alcohol, entertainment and hospitality.
Many of the firm’s solicitors work with professional bodies and advise local and central governments on licensing regulation. Poppleston Allen has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years, including Morning Advertiser’s Law Firm of the Year and The Times Best Law Firm for Licensing and Gaming.
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