TLDR
- Vicky Foxcroft has been appointed the UK’s new gambling minister, replacing Baroness Twycross
- She has a long record of supporting stricter gambling rules and consumer protections
- Her appointment follows the government’s reversal of the “aim to permit” rule for local councils
- The Betting and Gaming Council has welcomed her appointment and wants a balanced approach
- The Council also thanked outgoing minister Baroness Twycross for her work with the industry
Vicky Foxcroft has been named the UK’s new minister responsible for gambling policy. She takes on the role of parliamentary under-secretary of state for Museums, Heritage, Gambling and Lords Minister.
She replaces Baroness Twycross, who held the position since 2024.
Foxcroft has served as a Member of Parliament since 2015. She represents the Lewisham North constituency.
She previously worked as shadow minister for DCMS in 2019. During that time she backed strict gambling reform ideas.
One of her past positions included support for a ban on gambling advertising during live sports.
A History of Reform Advocacy
Foxcroft has a long record of calling for tougher gambling rules. In June 2025 she backed a motion calling for high street gambling reform.
The motion raised concerns that councils lack the power to stop new betting shops opening in areas that already have many. It also described gambling as a public health issue.
Her new role comes shortly after Prime Minister Andy Burnham reversed the “aim to permit” rule. That change gives local councils more power to reject new gambling and vape shop applications.
Foxcroft has called problem gambling an “epidemic.” She has asked the government several times to take action on the issue.
In 2018 she pushed for a ban on using credit cards for betting. She also asked banks to block online gambling transactions for people struggling with addiction.
She has backed a ban on gambling ads during live sports broadcasts. She also supported the statutory levy that started in November 2024.
That levy requires gambling companies to pay between 0.2% and 1.1% of their yearly gross gambling profit. The money funds research and prevention programs.
Industry Group Responds
The Betting and Gaming Council has welcomed Foxcroft’s appointment. The group said it wants to work with her in a constructive way.
The Council praised her past support for a balanced approach to regulation. It said this approach should protect children while still letting adults gamble safely.
Grainne Hurst, the Council’s chief executive, said the industry supports 109,000 jobs. She said it adds billions of pounds to the economy each year.
Hurst said future policy needs to be based on evidence. She said regulators should think about how new rules and tax increases affect jobs and investment together.
She also raised concerns about the illegal gambling black market. Hurst said it puts consumers at risk and gives nothing back to the economy or British sport.
The Council also thanked outgoing minister Baroness Twycross for her work. It said she was open and helpful during meetings with the industry.
Twycross visited gambling venues across the country during her time in the role. She met staff and saw how the sector supports jobs and local economies.
