Foxcroft is new Gambling Minister after ‘aim to permit’ support

Vicky Foxcroft MP has been appointed as the parliamentary under-secretary of state for Museums, Heritage, Gambling and Lords minister with oversight of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Foxcroft replaces Baroness Twycross who took on the role in 2024. 

Foxcroft has been an MP since 2015. She acted as shadow minister overseeing DCMS in 2019 during which time she supported various strict gambling reform motions.

Not her first rodeo

The MP for Lewisham North notably supported an early day motion on “high street gambling reform” tabled in June 2025.

The motion flagged concerns over the “lack of sufficient powers to regulate the spread of gambling premises due to the statutory aim to permit”. 

It also questioned restrictions on councils to be able to reject applications for new gambling venues in saturated communities, recognising gambling as a “public health issue”. 

Days before Foxcroft’s appointment, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a reversal of the “aim to permit” rule for councils, announcing new measures to target betting and vape shops.

Foxcroft has also previously spoken out on, in her words, the “epidemic of problem gambling”.

In 2018 she called on the government to ban betting using credit cards and to allow banks to prohibit problem gamblers from gambling through online transactions. 

The incoming minister has expressed support for banning gambling ads within live sport, and supported the 1% statutory levy, implemented in November 2024.

The levy, which requires licence holders to submit between 0.2% and 1.1% of their annual GGY to research and gambling harms prevention, formed part of the Gambling Act review white paper. 

BGC welcomes appointment

On Wednesday the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) welcomed Foxcroft to her new role. The organisation praised her previous advocacy for a “balanced, evidence-led approach to gambling regulation” that safeguards vulnerable groups, particularly children and young people, while allowing adults to gamble safely.

Highlighting Foxcroft’s support for regulation that is “properly targeted and fit for purpose”, the BGC said it planned to engage constructively with the minister. 

“We also look forward to working with the new minister to tackle the rapidly growing illegal gambling black market, which puts consumers at risk and contributes nothing to the economy or British sport,” said Grainne Hurst, CEO of BGC.

Hurst emphasised the industry’s desire for policies that are “proportionate” and “fully consider the cumulative impact of regulation and recent tax increases on jobs, investment and the competitiveness of the regulated sector”.

In her reaction to Foxcroft’s appointment, the BGC CEO thanked Foxcroft’s predecessor, Baroness Twycross for “the thoughtful, open and constructive way she engaged with our industry throughout her time as minister responsible for gambling”. 

Twycross was responsible for bringing in the government’s gambling white paper. She also oversaw the implementation of the infamous financial risk assessments (FRAs).

Kathryn Evans

Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.